The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum has named Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan of the Deptford Township (NJ) Police Department as the Officer of the Month for August 2020.

According to a written statement issued by NLEOMF, Lieutenant Grogan was among a number of officers who responded to a report of a fire at an apartment building in May. Upon arrival, they found the building heavily engulfed in smoke and flames. They were also advised that three residents were trapped inside.

Grogan began calling out to the trapped residents when he heard a woman respond and then crawled onto the balcony and into the burning apartment to locate her. He found the woman and pulled her onto the balcony where firefighters were waiting. Lieutenant Grogan helped lower the woman onto a fire truck ladder where she was helped to safety. Firefighters were able to rescue the third resident from the burning apartment.

"Lieutenant Grogan showed a high level of bravery by entering a burning building to rescue two residents," said Acting Chief of Police Frank Newkirk in a written statement. "Those residents might not have survived if not for Lieutenant Grogan’s bravery."