By Ashley Silver
Police1 Staff
ADRIAN, Mich. — A Michigan deputy was presented with two awards after diving into a creek to save a fleeing suspect from a burning vehicle.
Deputy Bill Warner received both a Life Saving Award and Medal of Honor by the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office for his bravery.
According to Lenconnect.com, the incident began when Warner pulled over two men in an SUV and discovered both occupants had outstanding felony warrants.
One of the suspects immediately jumped from the vehicle and fled the area on foot, while the other hopped into the driver’s seat and drove off. Shortly after, the suspect’s SUV struck another vehicle, before flipping and crashing into a creek embankment.
Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s department shows Warner exiting his patrol vehicle and running toward the suspect’s overturned car. Shortly after the deputy reached the SUV, it became engulfed in flames with the suspect’s legs partially trapped inside.
The officer quickly jumped into the creek and attempted to free the man’s legs from the burning SUV. After several minutes, the officer was able to pull the man out, dunking his lower body into the creek water to put out flames that were still inching up the suspect’s feet and legs.
“Deputy Warner’s actions were exceptionally meritorious and showed exemplary courage by putting himself at great risk and danger to save the life of the driver. His actions bring great credit to himself, the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Lenawee County,” Sheriff Troy Bevier Bevier told the news outlet.
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