Daniel L. Cook

Daniel L. Cook helped rescue Justin A. Richmond from burning, Derry, Louisiana, June 9, 2020. Richmond, 28, remained pinned in his burning boom truck following an accident on an interstate highway. The truck came to rest partially on its passenger side and caught fire. Cook, 48, field operations manager, was driving nearby and stopped at the scene, running to the boom truck’s broken-out driver’s window. Another motorist also responded and both men each extended one arm inside, pulling on Richmond’s belt and pants. The other motorist retreated for air, and Cook continued to pull on Richmond, but his lower body was trapped in the wreckage. Cook and the other motorist then grasped Richmond under his arms and pulled as flames started to burn Richmond. Richmond’s legs came free of the wreckage, and Cook aided him down to the ground. Cook and the motorist dragged Richmond farther from the vehicle, and others responded and aided Richmond to Cook’s vehicle. Richmond was severely burned and was airlifted to a burn trauma center for treatment, which included skin-grafting surgery. Cook was not injured.