News

City honors three officers for racing into burning building

Sgt. Bruce Darrah and Officer Michelle Hoyle accept the Police Department Life Saving Award from Mayor Barbara Volk. Officer Zeffrey Childress, who was unable to attend, also received the award.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 7, 2017

The Hendersonville City Council on Thursday recognized three police officers with the Police Department Commendation Life Saving Award for racing into a burning apartment building to evacuate residents from a fire that soon engulfed the entire structure.

Recognized with the award were Sgt. Bruce Darrah, Officer Michelle Hoyle and Officer Zeffrey Childress.
Darrah spotted smoke pouring from one of the buildings at the Sixth Avenue Apartments while on routine patrol in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 1. Darrah immediately radioed dispatchers and called his patrol team for immediate assistance. The officers began to “smartly evacuate the many sleeping residents of the apartment complex.” Within minutes, flames engulfed the apartment building, which was ultimately destroyed by the fire.
“There is no doubt that Sgt. Darrah’s attentiveness while on followed, followed by his selfless act of bravery saved many lives and prevented related injuries.”
Hoyle and Childress raced to the fire and joined their sergeant in helping roust the sleeping residents and get them out safely.
“While your sergeant was the first responder on the scene, you were one of the initial responders that provided immediate assistance to him and your colleagues on your patrol team,” the commendation said of Hoyle and Childress.
Their commendations also praised them for their selfless act of bravery that might well have saved many lives and prevented injuries. No one was hurt in the fire.
“Thank for for saving these lives,” the award said.