18 Mar Blue Line Innovations’ body camera video captures heroic efforts of a Girard OH police officer saving 8 people from a burning building
March 12, 2019 at 2:01 AM CDT – Updated March 12 at 2:01 AM
GIRARD, OH (WKBN/CNN) – A police officer in Ohio is being hailed as a hero for his quick thinking that helped eight people, including five children, escape a burning building.
Officials say a fire started Saturday night outside a Girard, OH, duplex that housed two families.
Patrolman Mathew Jamison was driving by and became the first emergency responder on scene. The officer entered the burning building, alerted the residents – three adults and five children – and made sure they all got out safely.
In Jamison’s body camera footage, flames can be seen as the officer turns a corner in the upstairs apartment. He asks if all the kids have left then reassures one of them as he ushers him downstairs. Watch video
“So, he was instrumental in saving the lives of, I believe, those children because at that point, with the smoke banking down, it doesn’t take long,” said Luke Grunder, president of the Local 1220 branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.
Officials say while no one was injured in the fire, the building was a total loss. American Red Cross is helping the two displaced families.
Officer Jamison was Justin Leo’s partner and was with Officer Leo the night he was killed in the line of duty. Jamison is the one who fired back shooting and killing the suspect.
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