Jeffrey M. McNeil attempted to rescue John H. Gumm from burning, Midwest City, Oklahoma, March 22, 2008. Gumm, 78, lay in the hall of his one-story house after fire broke out at night in the living room. On duty, McNeil, 32, police officer, responded to the scene, where he found significant flames issuing from the house and blocking its front door. He went to the rear of the structure, where he learned that Gumm was still inside. Despite the close proximity of the flames and intense heat and dense smoke that restricted breathing and visibility, McNeil entered the house through the rear door and, seeing Gumm about 10 feet ahead, crawled to him. He grasped Gumm by the feet and, walking backward, dragged him to the rear door, where another officer helped to take Gumm from the house and away. Gumm was pronounced dead at the scene. McNeil suffered smoke inhalation, for which he required hospital treatment. He recovered.
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