Powell Officers honored to save lives during the apartment fire

Two Powell police officers received recognition on Monday evening at a city council meeting because they were gone into a burning building and saved life.

When the officials arrived, they checked the building in the 749 North Beckman Street and went through all separate entrances.

The Hill family escaped the fire on February 17th in ParkView I -Apartments.

Powell Officers honored, the story here:

Powell Officers honored to save lives during the apartment fire

“We lost everything,” said Stephanie Hill, who lived with her family in Parkview I Apartments. “We lost our pictures, everything.”

Hill woke up at 2 in the morning of fire.

“I only checked because we had done the tent in the living room and the kitchen was right in front of me, and I just saw the flames,” said Hill.

Her husband worked and Stephanie went for the apartment complex to warn the other residents.

“It was almost a dream,” said Hill. “I heard the crackling noise and saw things out of the flames.

Officer Kevin Bennett was one of two officers who answered before Powell arrived volunteer firefighters.

“I saw flames, so that's actually pretty close to the route that I took that we were going,” said Bennett as he was driving his patrol car. “

And when I arrived here, I could see the flames. “

Bennett and officer Isaac Gutierrez immediately went in to ensure that everyone had escaped.

“We arrived and we saw the fire hurt the roof,” said Guitierrez. “And immediately we decided that we have to go in. Make sure everyone is outside and waited for the fire brigade.”

“The priority of life is of course a citizen of Powell, so I had to make sure that I got on there and have to make sure that everyone was evacuated,” said Bennett.

“I would like to recognize officer Gutierrez and Officer Bennett for the honorable actions of bravery that were carried out in the spirit of the service and the victim,” said Chief James Rhea at the council meeting. ”

“The two were honored by recommendations by citizens, firefighters and other first aiders.

“We are quite common under dangerous conditions, and this is a good chance to describe these conditions,” said Rhea. All human life and a cat were saved.

“Everyone who has appeared to help us, I think, amazing,” said Hill.

“We make an oath, we have to do it,” said Gutierrez. “So it's something we both feel comfortable with.”

Guiterrez and Bennett each had a family to observe the recognition.

“My wife was crazy and happy at the same time,” said Bennett. “She doesn't want to know that I came across a building fire, but proud of me.”