County Honors Hero Police Officers Who Saved Family from Fire

Two police officers who saved residents from a house fire in Freeport Monday were honored by County Executive Edward Mangano as heroes.

The off-duty officers, Nassau County Police Officer Gary Boulanger and Freeport Police Officer Corey Cooke, first entered the burning building, guiding five of the occupants to safety, and then went back in, without fire gear, to rescue a 90-year-old woman who had fallen and injured herself trying to escape. By that time, the thickened smoke in the home forced the officers to crawl along the floor to reach the woman and carry her outside to safety. Seven people, including the officers, were transported to Nassau University Medical Center for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide exposure, and the 90-year-old woman remains in NUMC’s surgical intensive care unit. The youngest occupant was 13 years old.

The two officers were on their way to their respective jobs that morning, each driving down Atlantic Avenue when they saw heavy smoke from a residence at about 6:30 a.m. Each officer called 911 as they headed toward the burning building – both saying they didn’t stop to think about their personal well-being, they just acted.

“We honor an act of heroism by our police,” Mangano said. “The brave actions of these men today make me proud, not only as county executive, but as a resident. Our police and firefighters continue to put their lives on the line for fellow residents and we thank them all for their service and dedication to our communities.”

Photo: Nassau County.