Troop A in Southbury Troopers Honored For Saving Life

SOUTHBURY, CT — Sergeant Michael Dogali, Trooper First Class John McGeever, Trooper First Class Mitchell Welch earned the Medal for Meritorious Service for their act of heroism that saved a life one year ago.

According to State Police:

On November 27, 2017, at 2:35 p.m., Troop A in Southbury received several 911 calls of a motor vehicle accident on the I-84 westbound Exit 17 on-ramp in Middlebury involving one car on fire. Troopers McGeever and Welch of Troop A responded to the accident, as well as Sgt. Dogali of Troop G who was on general patrol.

Troopers arrived to find the vehicle on fire and the operator trapped inside, but they were unable to open the driver’s door. Attempts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher were unsuccessful so Sgt. Dogali quickly utilized his baton to break the driver’s side window to gain access to the operator, who was wedged beneath the dashboard and unable to free himself.

Risking their own safety, the Troopers reached over the broken glass and into the burning vehicle and pulled the operator out through the window. Together they carried the injured man to safety; within a few moments, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.

"The immediate actions taken by the Troopers to render aid to an injured, trapped operator saved his life. The Troopers displayed heroism and courage while exposing themselves to a life-threatening situation. They earned the Medal for Meritorious Service," CT State Police said.