Fresno Officers Honored for Saving Lives

Reported by: Kathryn Herr
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Updated: 7/17/2012 7:29 pm

Major awards handed out to Fresno Police officers who saved lives while on duty.

Twenty officers were honored with a lifesaving medal.

Two of those officers went into burning buildings to rescue people inside.

A total of 27 officers and department employees were honored for their contributions.

One officer put his own life at grave risk when he went into a burning mobile home in February.

"You pretty much react," said Officer Steve Coleman.

Our camera spotted officer Coleman shortly after he rescued a 66-year-old woman from the fire.

"The woman was screaming, she was screaming for help," Coleman said.

He and two Good Samaritans used a piece of plywood to shield themselves from the fire.

"Actually it was the people that were out there they helped me. They held the board in place while I went down underneath and took a hold of her and pulled her out," Coleman said.

Coleman's hands and face were burned. He is uncomfortable with the spotlight and has not spoken publicly about his actions before.

"It's no different than anyone else that's here today. We do what we do because, as the chief said, it's a calling," Coleman said.

And the police chief says Coleman and all of the officers who saved lives went far above expectations.

"They're out there day in and day out making an impact on our community," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

Some of those notable acts include Officer Miguel Archan who rescued a woman from a burning apartment in October 2011.

And three officers who saved the life of a woman who'd been hit by a car on Blackstone Avenue in South Fresno.

When duty called, these officers stepped up. And then some.

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