Officer First Class Adam Anderson's evening patrol shift typically ends at about 2 a.m., but on one April night, the Frederick Police Department was understaffed. Anderson volunteered to work overtime.
An hour later, he found himself entering a burning vehicle to save a man's life.
"My only thought was, I have to get this guy out of the car," Anderson said in an interview Wednesday. "You don't think about it. You just do it."
Anderson, a nine-year veteran, received the department's Commendation Award during a ceremony last week for his "outstanding performance above the expected standard," said Lt. Dwight Sommers, who led the ceremony.
It was about 3 a.m. on April 27. Anderson was the first officer on the scene of a car fire that stemmed from a crash at Broadway and Madison streets.
"The car was visibly on fire. I got the extinguisher, but it was too small to do any good," he said as he recounted the incident.
Anderson learned the driver of the striking vehicle was drunk and had kept his foot on the gas pedal after the crash.
The spinning tires caught fire and flames were extending into the engine and getting closer to the passenger compartment.
Thick, black smoke filled the inside of the car, and Anderson said he didn't realize the driver was still inside until he noticed the tires spinning.
At that point, he ran back to the car, opened the door, reached in and pulled the man to safety.
He said rescuing the man was a challenge. Because the man was incoherent, he clutched the steering wheel as Anderson tried to pull him out.
Anderson said he has responded to fires before, but only to direct traffic while firefighters put out the blaze. This was his first rescue.
"It sounds cliche, but this is what they pay us to do. My job is to go into these situations," Anderson said.
Sgt. Earl Rocca, Anderson's patrol supervisor, said he was not surprised by the officer's actions in responding to the car fire.
"With no exaggeration, he is one of the hardest-working, most conscientious officers here," he said.
Rocca said every shift is different and officers never know what they may encounter from day to day.
"You could have a life-or-death incident in front of you, and Anderson's prepared to do that and put himself into harm's way to protect others," he said.
Anderson said he was "pleasantly surprised" to receive the award and be acknowledged by department commanders and city officials. This was the first time he had received such an award, but said he doesn't need the affirmation.
"I don't do it for the awards," Anderson said as he prepared to leave the police station for another evening patrol shift Wednesday. "I do it because I like helping people."
Copyright 2013 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
