Two boards I posted my excitement on about becoming a police officer, this one and another. I have many friends here and on the other and just wanted to share with you all the excitement of this CRAZY job. Yall seen when I became a reserve officer, to the full time process, through the academy where I took Top Cadet, to full time K9 Officer, and some of my crazy K9 stories, that keep this job eventful, mostly told to you guys that I know one on one. Most of you remember me when I was on here as a paratrooper in the Military and same unit as Ed's son. So when something makes that papers, I thought I'd share with yall also.

Ok, I don't know what the hell was going on with the grammer in this, yes we do know how to read and write in Louisiana and the writer on this is the Editor
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=christopher+duhon+police+officer+burning+car


Daily World (Opelousas, LA)



July 7, 2008

0706_Burning Car










Estimated printed pages: 2



Article Text:

Officer pulls man from burning car

By Alexandria Burris

aburris@dailyworld.com

Christopher Duhon knew he had to act when he saw the flames shooting from underneath the car.

A car was burning. An unidentified man was inside unconscious.

"There were several men standing around and no one was doing nothing," he said.

Before 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Duhon was sitting in his patrol car listening to the scanner.

He said he heard a call directed to another officer about a suspicious vehicle sitting in the parking lot of Budget Inn on North Main Street.

The second call came in, and the Duhon heard the dispatcher say that a the fire department and paramedics were needed.

He raced over.

"You could see the fire all the way under the bottom of the car," Duhon said recalling the scene that met him in the early morning.

Bystanders watched. A female officer, new to the department, stood by waiting for someone with enough strength to the pull the man out of the car.

Duhon said the flames were like a reflective pool.

The officer served 12 years in the army where he did stints in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he had encountered burning vehicles while he served in the army.

"I just reacted," he said, grabbing a fire extinguisher and shooting a safe path to the car.

He said he could see them shooting up toward the driver side door.

"I decided if I waited another second for surely the guy he was going to die," he said.

Duhon said the flames had engulfed the car.

The officer said he opened the passenger door where the flames had not reached and discovered the man was unconscious.

Duhon and the man, whose name has yet to be released, were both taken to the hospital and treated for injuries.

The man's condition was unknown as of 7 p.m. Saturday night.

Duhon said an electrical malfunction under the engine caused the car to catch on fire.

The man was sleeping when the fire started and he inhaled carbon monoxide causing him to pass out, he said.

OPD spokesman Capt. Martin McLendon said there are plans to honor Duhon.

"We're going to do something to show our appreciation but that's all apart of the job," McLendon.






Copyright (c) Daily World. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
Record Number: ope50176608

Hi Chris, I just read with interest a thread that you had posted on about a year ago.

Congratulations on what sounds like an heroic rescue! Keep safe!

WOW!

Guts!

Mike hows it going, Long time no speak. I see your in Arkansas, now, where you stationed at there?

BTW, I hope the Mods don't mind where I put this. I figured a burning car was a Health issue, LMAO!

I think you've got the wrong Michael Wise. Don't think we know eachother.

Although when I first joined the forum I thought, "HOLY $#*t!! Duke's point guard is on here!"

Chris: Michael West?

ahhh, yes, wrong guy, but I was in the Marines with a Michael Wise who was quite the wise ---, LOL.

 Quote:

"HOLY $#*t!! Duke's point guard is on here!"

He is actually my cousin, however, not one that I can call, his immediate family and mine stopped talking when I was like 7 and Chris is a few years younger than I so, we really don't know each other. Which sucks, cause I sure would like to be that cousin that he remembers on Christmas and B-days, LOL, He knows me as well as he knows you, LOL.

Congratulations, Chris!

Yes, a formal recognition ceremony is certainly in order. Regardless of who may say "that's all part of the job," it's heroic action, nonetheless, and shouldn't be diminished by that kind of comment.

Probably just one of many experiences you'll have to tell the grandkids about someday.

Mike

First off thanks alot guys for the comments. I shared this article because it is a happy time in my new career for me, and I have some good friends here who have seen me transition from US Army Paratrooper and War Veteran to Police Officer. I just want to keep you all abreast. However, I truely think I did what any human with an ounce of humanity would have done. I think Most here on this forum would have done the same thing in the same situation. The scene was really bad. There was huge plums of jet black smoke pouring through the car, the fire department said they seen the smoke 4 blocks away. This man was in there inhaling this the whole time. The driver side had caught fire and the rest of the car except for right at the passenger door. All four wheels had begun to melt into the concrete. I just could not imagine in my wildest dreams watching a man burn alive before my eyes and do nothing. I dont' see that as heroic I see it as apart of humanity. I truley think most here would do what I did. I was upset as you can see in the article, because I kept raving in my interview that there were several men standing around doing nothing when I arrived, that amazed me beyond belief. I still can't believe how many people were going to watch a man burn alive. They were not approaching that car whatsoever. Them aside the majority of people I believe would do just what I did. I'll tell you who are heroes.

Our Soldiers and Marines Fighting overseas. Particularly those who have paid with life or Limb. Those guys are the heroes of our society.

Chris, what a beautiful thing you did, saving another man's life. I imagine you've done that before. It must be a wonderful feeling, to know that in your life you've saved another.

I think the difference between those who stand by and those who act is bravery, which you obviously have, and which many don't have. Many may be concerned but without bravery, they're paralyzed. Bravery makes all the difference in the world, especially to someone whose life is on the line, like the man about to be burned alive in the car. Some people's lives are full of brave acts. It's good to have people like you around us.