WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 30, 2021) — The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum (NLEMM) is pleased to announce the November 2021 Officer of the Month, K-9 Deputy First Class (DFC) Marcus Dawson of the Flagler County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. Dawson successfully rescued a 3-year-old boy from a house fire.
Dawson responded to a call of a house fire in Flagler County, Fla. After arriving on scene, a neighbor told him the house had three occupants, but it appeared none were there. Dawson could see thick, black smoke quickly filling the home and heard dogs barking inside. He began to knock loudly on the front door and shout into the residence. When he didn’t receive a response, he quickly went to the back of the house, continuing to hear dogs barking. In his attempt to release the dogs from the burning home, Dawson noticed a little boy hiding in fear beneath a blanket in one of the rear bedrooms.
Dawson immediately entered the room and carried the child out of the burning home, receiving assurance that no one else was home at the time. The child received immediate medical attention and was cleared with no injuries.
“We would first like to thank Deputy Dawson for his bravery and courage to run into danger for the sake of another’s life,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “We are honored to present him with this award and are thankful for the opportunity to continue to tell the good stories of our American law enforcement.”
The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
About the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum (NLEMM)
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (LawMemorial.org) contains the names of 22,611 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) expands and enriches the relationship between law enforcement and the community by sharing true stories of service and sacrifice from across the nation. Through immersive, educational exhibitions and insightful programs, we preserve the history of law enforcement for generations to come.
About the Police Unity Tour
The Police Unity Tour is a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC, whose mission is to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, and to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The Tour is made up of nine chapters consisting of nearly 2,600 members nationwide. Since its inception, the Police Unity Tour has donated more than $30 million to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
