Police Lieutenant saves woman trapped in burning apartment

DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ – A police lieutenant ran into a burning building, risking his own life to save the life of a woman trapped inside.

Deptford Township Police Lieutenant David Grogan responded to a report of a fire in an apartment building. When he arrived, he found the apartment was heavily engulfed with flames. Witnesses were advising that three elderly residents were trapped inside their apartments.

Officers on scene were able to enter one apartment and bring a resident to safety. The heavy smoke and hot flames prevented officers from using a stairwell to rescue the other two trapped residents.

Deptford Police Officer Todd Brown arrived and quickly positioned his police car near the balcony of the apartment where the other two residents were trapped. Lieutenant Grogan used the car and yelled out to the residents and heard a woman respond.

Without hesitation, Lieutenant Grogan climbed onto the balcony and into the smoke filled burning apartment. Crawling on his hands and knees, Lieutenant Grogan found the woman and pulled her out to the balcony.

Lientenant Grogan helped the woman onto the fire truck ladder and down to safety.

The third person that was trapped was rescued by firefighters.

Lieutenant Grogan was transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

Deptford Township Acting Police Chief Frank Newkirk said, “Lieutenant Grogan showed a high level of bravery by entering a burning building to rescue two residents. Those residents might not have survived if not for Lieutenant Grogan’s bravery.”

For his actions, The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum has named Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan as the August 2020 Officer of the Month.

Thank you to Lieutenant Grogan, all of the officers on scene, and the Deptford Fire Department. You are all true heroes.