Aurora Police Honored for Rescuing Man from Burning Home

Two veteran Aurora Police officers are sharing Employee of the Month honors for rescuing a 62-year-old man from his burning apartment in a downtown building.

Officers Matthew Fichtel and Jeremyah Kelley were selected for their Dec. 11, 2014 efforts when they arrived at the scene of the fire in the first block of North Broadway Ave., and learned the man was trapped in his upstairs apartment which was near the scene of the blaze.

Police said Officers Fichtel and Kelley gained entry into the apartment and carried the man down the stairs and out of the building to safety. The man told first responders that he was beginning to be overcome by the smoke and did not know if he would have been able to make it out had it not been for the two officers.

“As police officers, one of the noblest deeds we can be called upon to do is to place ourselves in potential danger for a complete stranger,“ Chief of Police Greg Thomas said. “The actions of Officers Fichtel and Kelley epitomizes dedicated service to the community and is an honor to everyone in our profession.”

Officers Fichtel and Kelley both became Aurora Police officers on Sept. 16, 2002.