Dramatic bodycam footage shows a Jamestown, New York police officer heroically save a family from a raging house fire Monday morning.
According to a press release from the department, Officer Mark Conklin was alerted about the fire that had engulfed a home on William Street, trapping children and an adult inside.
In the video, Officer Conklin runs toward the home where he immediately begins rescuing people from the blaze. “I’m getting people out right now,” Conklin says into his radio between breaths as he runs back toward the house after getting one child to safety.
“How many people are in here?” he asks before desperately trying to find out the home’s address.
“I got you. I got you,” Conklin shouts at individuals still trapped inside. “Jump, jump, I got you!” Conklin then catches one of the people who apparently jumped out of a second-story window.
“Without hesitation, Officer Conklin ran to the scene where he found a house engulfed in flames with children and an adult trapped in the upstairs of the residence,” Chief Tim Jackson wrote in a statement on Facebook. “While requesting the Jamestown Fire Department over his radio and standing next to extreme heat, Officer Conklin directed the trapped occupants to jump from the upstairs window and proceeded to catch them.”
“I can say that I have seen many examples of heroism over the years by officers,” the chief continued. “After watching the video of this incident and speaking to others involved, I can say that the actions of Officer Conklin were, to say the least, one of the most outstanding examples of bravery, heroism, and exemplary service I have seen.”
The Post-Journal reported that Conklin said it was just a case of being in the right place at the right time. “Only objective is to make sure everyone gets out,” he added.
Brooke and Hector Rivera and their four children lost all of their possessions in the fire, but are safe despite being shaken up. As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe has raised nearly $10,500 to help the family get back on their feet.
“We, the Jamestown Police Department, are honored to have officers such as Mark Conklin working in the Jamestown Police Department,” Chief Jackson wrote. “Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. A big thank you to the members of the Jamestown NY Fire Department Local 137 for their efforts in fighting the blaze.”
