COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Columbus Police Officer who helped pull a man from a burning truck says she was just doing her job.
It happened back in October. But Officer Amy Detweiler and Trooper Michael Rucker were honored Wednesday for their heroism.
Officer Detweiler says the men and women in her profession try to make a difference every day. She says she thinks about that fire and yes, it’s nice to be recognized by her colleagues, but she’d do it again either way.
Dashcam video shows what happened. It’s 2.36 a.m. the morning of Oct. 25, Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Rucker has pulled up to the scene of a vehicle fire. Columbus Police Officer Amy Detweiler isn’t far behind.
“Tpr. Rucker, when I pull in he’s standing in the back of that truck trying to extinguish the fire,” says Detweiler as she watches the video.
It happened on 315 North, near Riverside Hospital. A Ford Ranger pickup was on fire.
“It’s hot and it just kept getting larger and larger,” says Detweiler.
The driver was still inside. The angle of the dashcam video doesn’t show it clearly, but Detweiler and Rucker worked to pull the driver out. His clothing caught fire. They put out the flames and pulled him to safety.
“At no point do you stop, cause you’re hoping (The Columbus Fire Department)’s on the way,” says Detweiler.
Early Wednesday morning Ofc. Detweiler and Tpr. Rucker were honored for their heroism. Ohio State Patrol Columbus District Commander Capt. Shawn Lee awarded them both with Certificates of Recognition.
Detweiler says it’s nice to be recognized, but they were just doing their jobs.
“Everyone would do the same thing. And I work with amazing people whether it’s County, or OSP, or CPD,” she says.
She says in this firey crash, they did best they could.
“You have to give it a chance,” she says.
Unfortunately, the driver in the crash later died from his injuries.
Detweiler says it’s hard to lose someone you worked so hard to save. But you always do the best you can.