If not for the three Burlington Police officers patrolling Fleming Court on Jan. 9, the man trapped by a house fire on that same block would surely be dead.
“Sometimes they (police officers) are in the right place at the right time,” Burlington Police Chief Dennis Kramer said Monday evening during a presentation to the Burlington City Council.
To recognize their bravery and ingenuity, Kramer and the council honored the officers — Tyler Henning, Jacob Jenkins, and Kegan Jacobson — with the Medal of Merit Monday night. It’s the second-highest honor in the department.
The fortunate timing provided the officers a window of opportunity to save the man from his burning home at 113 Fleming Court, but as Kramer pointed it, that is just the beginning of the story.
The man, whose name Kramer didn’t reveal, was already frail and dependent on oxygen, and initially thought someone was trying to break into his house when the heard the pounding at the front door. There were no working smoke detectors in the house.
The officers burst in through the entrance after alerting the resident to the fire, only to be pushed back by the heavy smoke. By then, the man was calling for help.
Two of the three officers had to be treated for smoke inhalation after the fire, and both were released in good condition.
Hearing the man’s cries as they attempted to enter, the officer improvised, borrowing a step ladder from a neighbor so they could access the third-floor bedroom window that sat seven feet above the ground.
The officers pulled the semi-conscious man through the window, all of them tumbling to the ground outside.
By then medical personal had arrived and immediately administered CPR. The man was rushed to Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, then transferred to Iowa City. A few days later, he got to hear the story for himself.
“They did a fantastic job that night, and I expect nothing less from them in the future,” Kramer said.
Kramer had one more award to give out — Officer of the Year — which is voted on by fellow Burlington police officers. The peer award was instituted in 2000.
Henning, who had just accepted the Medal of Merit moments earlier, took home that distinction, as well, and it wasn’t just for his Fleming Court rescue.
“The information he has collected on gang activity in the city of Burlington has elevated the department's ability to address violent acts wreaking havoc in the community,” said Burlington Councilman Bill Maupin, reading from the official declaration.
Maupin continued to read the proclamation, going into more detail.
“This officer has provided valuable intel which has assisted in the apprehending and imprisonment of many career criminals while also working diligently to take guns off our streets. He has shown his willingness to work countless hours gathering information to slow the narcotic and gun violence hindering our city,” Maupin read.
Henning himself was notably less verbose in accepting his award, giving credit to the other officers nominated for the award.
“I am very humbled. I am not much for words, but I just want to say thank you,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Burlington 411 Facebook group
Burlington police officers Jacob Jenkins, Kegan Jacobson and Tyler Henning (left to right) accept the Medal of Merit Award Monday evening from the Burlington City Council. Council members pictured (left to right) are Bill Maupin, mayor Jon Billups, Matt Rinker, and Robert Critser.