Sheriff's Officer Hailed as Hero After Fire Rescue

A Waldorf, Maryland, man is getting treatment at a burn center after being rescued from a burning home by a Charles County sheriff’s officer.

Ashley Gawthrop said she thought her husband, Leon, was right behind her as she and her 3-year-old daughter Schylar got out of the house about midnight Sunday, but he was trapped inside as the smoke and flames spread.

“I just heard him hit the floor and scream,” she said.

She thought her husband was gone.

Officer Vernon Warker was on patrol in the area and got to the house within minutes. Without protective gear or firefighter training, he kicked in the door and saw Leon’s feet.

He was unconscious, so Warker pulled him out of the house with the help of some neighbors.

Leon suffered smoke inhalation and serious burns but is expected to fully recover.

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A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family.

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