Bodycam video shows 4 deputies quickly rescue man from burning home in Manatee County
A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant and three deputies were awarded deputy of the year for saving a man out of his burning home.
On Oct. 19, 2021, first responders were called to a duplex where there was reports of heavy smoke coming out of side of the building, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputy Logan Wilson first arrived as neighbors told him they were unsure if anyone was still inside.
Body camera footage shows Wilson kick open the front door and shout “sheriff’s office” as black smoke billowed out. Arriving to assist, deputy Monica Ruiz is seen squatting down with a flashlight trying to get a look inside as she shouts “hello.”
Lt. Sean Felton also arrived and was able to spot the lower half of a man’s body about 10 feet from the front door. Felton tried to go in, but came back out because of the smoke.
Wilson then tried and was able to drag the man about seven feet toward the door but stumbled out saying he couldn’t breathe. A fourth deputy at the scene, Hugo Garcia, was able to pull the man out the rest of the way.
The four deputies quickly dragged the man into the grass and stayed with him until paramedics arrived.
“For their combined efforts that saved the victim’s life, while putting their own safety at risk, Lieutenant Sean Felton, Deputy Hugo Garcia, Deputy Monica Ruiz, and Deputy Logan Wilson have been named Deputies of the Year for 2021,” the sheriff’s office announced on Friday at their annual awards luncheon.
