On Tuesday July 20, 2010 at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Northern York County Regional Police Commission, awards were presented to two officers and one civilian for their part in a heroic rescue of a family of four from a burning building in North York Borough on June 8, 2010.
Officer Cody Becker received the Award of Merit. The Award of Merit is the second highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Northern York County Regional Police Officer. The Award of Merit recognizes a specific act involving personal risk or exceptional judgment. Personal risk would not be of the extreme nature required for the Medal of Valor, but must clearly be above and beyond the normal requirements of one’s position. In cases involving exceptional judgment, or initiative, they must be clearly outstanding and such that had they not been exercised, undesirable consequences would have resulted. To view the narrative of Officer Becker’s Award of Merit, please click on the link below.
Officer Cody Becker Award of Merit
Officer Edward Pague received the Chief’s Commendation. The Chief’s Commendation is the Department’s third highest award. The Chief’s Commendation recognizes performance which clearly surpasses the normal requirements of one’s position. To view the narrative of Officer Pague’s Chief’s Commendation, please click on the link below.
Officer Edward Pague Chief’s Commendation
Citizen Todd Horner received the Commissioners’ Commendation. This certificate shall be awarded in instances where a citizen voluntarily provides aid and assistance to a police officer. To view Mr. Horner’s Award, please click the link below.
Todd Horner Commissioners’ Commendation
The following news release issued June 9, 2010 details the heroic efforts of the Officers and Mr. Horner.
On 06/08/2010 at 6:17pm the Northern York County Regional Police responded to the report of a structure fire with entrapment in the 900 block of North George Street in North York Borough.
Upon arrival at the scene of the fire NYCRPD officers found several residences to be fully engulfed in flames, and the occupants in immediate danger. NYCRPD officers and a York County Deputy Sheriff began to go door to door notifying residents of the fire. The occupants of 954 North George Street, Diana Estremera and her children, signaled to officers that they needed help in escaping the approaching flames.
Officer Cody Becker, a one year veteran of the NYCRPD went to the rear of 954 North George St. where it became evident that an entire family was trapped on the third floor of the structure. Officer Becker was able to enlist the aid of a citizen volunteer, Todd Horner of West Sixth Ave, to effect access onto a second story roof. This action was critical since the fire apparatus and ladders had not yet arrived on the scene of the rapidly spreading fire.
After Officer Becker was in position on the roof, the Estremera began to drop her children out of a third floor window to the officer. An infant and two children between the ages of 4-10 dropped nearly 10 feet into Officer Becker’s arms. Officer Becker then passed the children off the roof to Officer Edward Pague and Mr. Horner.
After the children were safely rescued Estremera exited the window. She lowered herself from the window and then dropped a few feet until Officer Becker could catch her. Estermera and her three children were taken to York Hospital. The children appeared uninjured and the mother sustained a laceration to one of her arms.
The fire was contained by the numerous fire departments from throughout York County. A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall was on scene to determine the cause of the blaze.
As a result of the actions of the responding officers and the community members who were able to assist as the fire department arrived there was no loss of life and injuries sustained by the residents were minimal.
More information on Northern York County Regional Police Department awards can be found on the Recognition of Achievement Awards page of this website.
