Michael D. Croft

Michael D. Croft rescued Joseph S. Marino from burning, Cheektowaga, New York, March 10, 1986. Marino, 84, was alone in his house when fire broke out in the living room. A neighbor, Croft, 40, off-duty police officer, saw the fire and ran to Marino’s house. Croft entered the house through an attached garage and, despite dense smoke which greatly limited his visibility, located Marino, who was lying semi-conscious on the floor. Croft dragged Marino to the garage, where he was helped by another man in carrying Marino from the house. Marino, hospitalized for second- and third-degree burns and smoke inhalation, died a week later. Croft was treated for smoke inhalation, and he fully recovered.