Robert Prochazka helped to save Thomas C. Haley from burning, Willowick, Ohio, April 5, 2016. Haley, 54, who had mobility issues, discovered a fire in the first-floor laundry room in his two-story house. He crawled to a point in the living room that was at least 15 feet from the front door. Prochazka, 49, police officer, responded to the scene with another officer. Smoke issued from the house’s rear and through the open front door. Informed by Haley’s wife that he remained inside, Prochazka and the other officer entered at the front door. Overcome by the smoke and unable to see Haley, they exited. Prochazka retrieved a flashlight and re-entered the house at the front door, crawling toward the other officer who had located Haley and was dragging him to the front door. Prochazka advanced until he located the other officer, whose belt he grasped. As Prochazka, remaining low to the floor, pulled the officer by the belt while moving to the door, the officer dragged Haley. At the doorway, a third officer arrived and helped Prochazka to move Haley into the lawn. Prochazka and Haley were treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and released that day. They recovered.
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