Millvale police Chief Tim Komoroski lauded the efforts by Officer Joe Spalick, a rookie officer who graduated from the Police Academy in August 2020 and joined the department the following month.
Officers Rudy Castillo and Joel Kaminsky are seen in the video running toward the SUV as flames were engulfing it. The 55-year-old man inside is believed to have had a medical issue that caused him to swerve off the road crash.
During the riot at the University Mall in May of 2020, Hillsborough County Master Deputy William Scobie was hit in the head with a piece of concrete, which left him temporarily paralyzed. Madsen and another officer with TPD rushed to Scobie’s aid, carried him to the car and took him to the hospital.
Officer Blake Puckett realized 18-year-old Laurel Putnam strapped in her seatbelt and unconscious.
Chief Brian Dugan said Officer Jesse Madsen, 45, served 16 years with the Tampa PD and received seven life-saving awards during his time with the department.
Fayetteville police said the car left the roadway and crashed into a tree, bursting into flames. An off-duty officer called 911.
Deputies Elijah Roman and Aaron Derycke were patrolling separately early Sunday morning when they heard the call about the fire just before 5 a.m. at the mobile home park.
Outside of the building, Officers Leang Chhor and Joshua Delisle saw a woman holding a baby in a second-floor window. They told her to drop the baby to them, which she did, and were able to catch the baby safely.
"I lay down on my stomach and just started digging into the ice with my fingers to claw my way out. It felt like eternity with her screaming,” Chief Mike Foligno said.
Body camera footage captured the moments officers worked to get the passengers out of the burning car, local firefighters still en route. In the video, the officers can be heard deliberating the different ways to rescue the passengers and getting the fire somewhat under control.