The Prince George's County Fire Department and Police Department got together Friday to honor four police officers who went "above and beyond" the call of duty during a fire in College Park, Md.
Fire Chief Marc Bashoor was joined by County Police Chief Mark Magaw at the College Park Fire/EMS Station #812 today to present the Fire Chief’s Award and a glowing letter of commendation to Cpl. Eric N. Lee, Officer First Class Daniel Gonzalez, Officer Jonathan A. Eyler and Cpl. Matthew K. Ling.
On Feb. 4 about 2:30 p.m., police officers observed smoke billowing from the window of a sixth floor unit in the Spellman House Apartments. The building, located in College Park, is occupied by senior citizens and mobility challenged individuals.
The officers notified dispatch of the fire and then hurried into the building and warned residents to get out. They then went to the sixth floor and broke into the apartment where the fire started. They had no protective gear but searched the apartment for occupants anyway and determined nobody was inside.
Fire crews arrived and extinguished the fire. The building's audible fire alarm system did not sound, but it's not clear why. The building's sprinkler system was operational.
“If not for your quick thinking and immediate action, the outcome of this occurrence could have been tragic,” Bashoor said. “For your exceptional performance on the scene of this incident, you are hereby presented the Fire Chief’s Award. Congratulations, and thank you for an outstanding job. Your actions reflect well on you personally and professionally and on the Prince George’s County Police Department, as a whole.”
