The Kerrville Police Department Meritorious Conduct Board has presented the KPD Lifesaving Award to Officer Kyle Schneider, a 22-year police veteran.
Schneider responded to a structure fire on Jan. 16, where an individual was reported to be trapped inside his burning home. The 66-year-old resident, who suffered from polio and could not move around without the assistance of a wheelchair or walker, called dispatch and advised "my house is on fire, and I need help." The resident said that he could not get out of the house, because he was unable to walk, and he had already suffered burns to his hands and legs.
Schneider arrived at the location at 11:29 a.m. and, disregarding his own safety, entered the burning mobile home. Although his vision was obscured by heavy smoke, the officer located the resident, who was severely burned and on the dining room floor.
As Schneider was preparing to extract the resident, Kerrville Fire Department Interim Fire Marshal Chris Lee arrived on scene and also entered into the burning mobile home. Together they picked up the resident and extracted him from his burning home.
The resident's trousers had been burned off, and he had sustained severe burns to his legs and hands. He was transported by helicopter to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he was treated for third degree burns to 30 to 40 percent of his body.
"It's believed that had it not been for the courage and bravery displayed by both Officer Schneider and Interim Fire Marshal Lee, the resident would have perished in this fire," a spokesman for the police department said. "Officer Schneider's and Interim Fire Marshal Lee's selfless disregard for their own safety and their exceptional performance during this emergency situation is a true reflection of their dedication to our community."
Copyright 2014 - Kerrville Daily Times, Texas
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
