CULPEPER, Virginia — Culpeper Police Department officers rescued an unresponsive resident from a burning home Oct. 3, while three officers were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries sustained during the rescue.

Officers responded with area fire departments and emergency medical units at approximately 6 p.m. to the 1500 block of Old Fredericksburg Road for a reported house fire. The two-story residence was showing heavy smoke, and responders received reports that people might still be inside.

Officer A. Sain was the first officer on scene and immediately entered the home to search for occupants and breach interior doors. Officer N. Coffey arrived shortly afterward and joined the search.

On the second floor, officers encountered a bedroom door locked from the inside, with smoke visible above and beneath it. Because the door opened outward and was obstructed, Coffey used a pocket tool to manipulate the lock and gain entry.

Heavy black smoke poured from the bedroom when the door opened, and flames were visible. Sergeant D. Cole and Officer M. Beel joined Sain and Coffey on the second floor.

After receiving no response to their calls, Coffey entered the bedroom on his hands and knees. As the smoke intensified, he was forced to crawl on his chest until he located an unresponsive resident on a bed.

Coffey pulled the resident onto the floor. With assistance from Sain, Beel and Cole, he moved the resident into the upstairs hallway.

Members of the Culpeper County Office of Emergency Services, Company 12, arrived during the rescue and reached the top of the stairs. Firefighter/Paramedic J. Kline and Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Markiewicz relieved the officers, who were experiencing the effects of heavy smoke inhalation, and continued moving the resident toward safety. Firefighter/Paramedic W. Rohling helped carry the resident out of the home.

Additional firefighters and emergency medical personnel arrived shortly afterward and extinguished the fire. All occupants were removed from the residence.

The rescued resident was transported to UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center and later transferred to a regional burn center for additional treatment. Three Culpeper police officers were also transported to UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center for smoke inhalation and other injuries. All three were treated and released later that evening.

“We often say that first responders run toward danger when others are running away. On Saturday evening, these officers and firefighters showed exactly what that means,” said Culpeper Police Chief Chris Settle. “Without hesitation, they entered a burning home, pushed through heavy smoke and flames, and worked together to reach a resident who could not escape. They accepted extraordinary personal risk for someone they had never met. Their courage, teamwork, and commitment saved a life. Without their actions, this story would have ended very differently.”

“Despite the significant risks posed by the fire and hazardous conditions, these police officers and firefighters acted swiftly and selflessly, placing the safety and well-being of another person above their own,” said Culpeper County Emergency Services Director Bill Ooten. “Their decisive actions, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty exemplify the highest standards of public service. Their actions reflect great credit upon themselves, their departments, and the community they proudly serve.”

The responding agencies included the Culpeper County Office of Emergency Services, Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department, Culpeper Volunteer Fire Department, Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Reva Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Salem Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Culpeper Volunteer Rescue Squad, Remington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police.

Detectives with the Culpeper Police Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire with assistance from Virginia State Police arson investigators. The investigation remains active.