‘Ran toward danger.’ State College officers honored for rescuing woman from burning building
Five police officers who braved excessive heat and smoke to rescue a State College woman from a March 2021 fire that destroyed her home were lauded Tuesday as being among the best officers in Centre County.
State College police Lt. Barrett Smith and officers Dean Woodring, Larry Crawford and Ben Capozzi were named Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Cameron Earnest, who is no longer with the borough police department, also received a share of the award.
They were surrounded by family, friends and fellow officers from other municipal police departments in the county. Smith, a 24-year veteran of the borough police department, is a husband and father of three.
“I’m lucky to sit here and know that the person I helped is still around today doing well and that it was a difference in their life; you don’t normally have an opportunity to do that for somebody,” Smith said. “I believe that is the job that I took and an oath that I promised to uphold. I’m proud of all of my colleagues that they followed through on what they promised to do in their job. They had a duty and they didn’t shirk from it, even though there was the opportunity for them to be seriously injured by doing it. I’m very proud of them.”
The officers, as well as borough public works employee and Citizens Hook & Ladder volunteer firefighter Jonathan McClure, were complimented for their selflessness in moving a nearly 500 pound woman about 65 feet to safety and tending to her before themselves.
They were exposed to intense heat and smoke for more than three minutes, stopping only to head outside for oxygen several times before returning.
All six borough employees were treated for smoke inhalation at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The woman’s caregiver was treated for minor injuries. The woman was hospitalized and treated for significant burns.
It was at least the second time the officers were publicly hailed for their heroics. Each received a life-saving certificate during an April 2021 State College Borough Council meeting.
“While most run away from danger, these five officers ran toward danger,” State College police Chief John Gardner said Tuesday. “Their only thoughts were for the welfare of the victim trapped inside this home.”
Body camera footage was released Tuesday for the first time. The video showed Woodring taking the lead after the woman’s caregiver frantically told him a woman was still inside.
Even when he was thrown backward inside the garage, when he was smacked with heavy smoke and heat, he pressed on and called to the woman. With smoke covering the home from the ceiling to two feet above the floor, he used his flashlight to locate her.
The five-year veteran tried to get the woman to hold on to her walker so he could pull her out, but she couldn’t move. He radioed additional officers and headed outside for oxygen.
Smith, Crawford, Capozzi and McClure entered, followed by Woodring. Capozzi was overcome by the smoke and needed oxygen. Earnest arrived soon thereafter as smoke billowed from the garage.
With the blaze intensifying, the other employees were forced outside for air as the garage door collapsed and two officers forced it back open. Earnest went in alone and located the victim.
He went outside for air, and then the employees returned one last time and were able to pull her to the sidewalk. They were all in “heavy distress,” Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said, but made sure to get the victim supplemental oxygen before tending to themselves.
They stayed with her until the fire department and emergency medical services arrived.
The rapid growth, fast-moving fire that destroyed the single-story home was ruled accidental. It originated from a kitchen appliance, Centre Region Council of Governments Fire Director Steve Bair previously said.
Gardner said he received a letter from Bair, who thanked the officers and wrote the woman was “given a second chance at life” because of their actions.
State College police officers have won at least a share of the award each of the four years it has been handed out. They’re the only police department in Centre County that can make that claim.
“It’s pretty humbling. Just knowing the quality of law enforcement we have in general in Centre County, for us to have somebody that’s nominated and won four years in a row is something to be very proud of,” Gardner said. “And it’s a testament to not only the quality of our department, but in the quality throughout the county. It’s very humbling.”