Robert E. Shows helped to save Gary D. Miller and Stella B. Hohne from burning, Rittman, Ohio, July 8, 2002. Miller, 55, and his mother-in-law Ms. Hohne, 84, were in second-floor bedrooms of Miller’s house after fire broke out on a deck at the rear of the structure at night. A police officer on duty in the neighborhood, Shows, 31, discovered the fire and, joined by another officer, broke into the house through its front door to alert any occupants. Learning from Miller that Ms. Hohne was in her bedroom, Shows went upstairs to that room. He picked Ms. Hohne up, but dense smoke, which rendered visibility nil, and intense heat precluded their escaping down the stairs. The other officer went to the front of house, where he shouted for Shows to use the bedroom window. Shows opened the window, removed the screen, and climbed onto the roof of the front porch. Miller then handed Ms. Hohne out to him before exiting the house himself. Firefighters arrived within minutes and removed Ms. Hohne and Miller from the roof, Shows following. Ms. Hohne, Miller, and Shows were all taken to the hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation.
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