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A Southlake police officer was awarded the department's second-highest honor a month after rescuing a man from a burning vehicle on State Highway 114, a response that was caught on video.
Joshua Swisher, a corporal with the Southlake Police Department, was presented the department's "Meritorious Conduct Award" for his actions when a traffic stop turned into a flaming rescue in early June, according to a department statement.
The award, according to the statement, recognizes employees who demonstrate exceptional courage, professionalism, and performance in the face of significant danger.
As Swisher was pulling over another car for a speeding violation on June 7, he was alerted by dispatch about an approaching vehicle emitting heavy smoke, the statement said. After locating the vehicle, Swisher directed the driver to pull onto the shoulder near the 900 block of eastbound SH 114.
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Within seconds of coming to a stop, the statement said, flames began spreading from underneath the vehicle. Dash and body camera footage show Swisher moving toward the vehicle about 7:39 p.m. to pull the car's door handle, which is then seen breaking off and flying across the pavement.
He dons a glove, the footage shows, before breaking the car window and pulling the driver to safety less than 20 seconds after he first arrived at the car.
"Get out of the car. Come out through the window," Swisher can be heard saying. "Sir, give me your hand. I've got you." He confirms with the driver that no one else is in the vehicle before fire department officials arrive on scene to put out the fire.
According to the statement, the driver was not seriously injured.
"Every day, our officers are prepared to respond to situations that can change in an instant," said Southlake police Chief Ashleigh Casey. "This incident is a powerful reminder that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop or call."
Swisher was not immediately available for an interview with The Dallas Morning News.
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