April 25--
The Scranton Police Department recently recognized four officers for their role in helping residents jump from the roof of their burning home's porch earlier this month.
City Police Chief Dan Duffy said Cpl. Thomas McDonald and Patrolmen Chris Kaushas, Joseph Kearney and Daniel Schaufler were each presented with official letters of recognition and lapel pins of the department's patch, which are awarded to individuals who "go above and beyond the call of duty."
The four officers were the first responders to a fire at 822 Beech St. on April 9, Chief Duffy said.
As flames consumed 822 Beech St., the officers found a man, his wife and his daughter standing on the roof of the home's porch, according to The Times-Tribune archives.
The officers then drove a police cruiser up to the burning building and, after climbing on top of the vehicle, caught the three individuals as they jumped from the home's roof, Chief Duffy said.
The fire having already spread to the neighboring home at 820 Beech St., the officers helped a resident of that home out of the building as well and also assisted with medical personnel treating an elderly man who had suffered a heart attack at the scene, Chief Duffy said.
One of the officers, who was not specifically identified, was treated and later released from an area hospital for smoke inhalation after the incident, Chief Duffy said.
"The police officers in this case placed the safety of others before their own safety which, in my opinion, makes them all local heroes," he said.
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Copyright 2012 - The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
