The Bulletin Notes.

Law enforcement officers are challenged daily in the performance of their duties; they face each challenge freely and unselfishly while answering the call to duty. In certain instances, their actions warrant special attention from their respective departments. The Bulletin also wants to recognize those situations that transcend the normal rigors of the law enforcement profession.

Early one morning, Officer Robert Bohnstadt of the North Tonawanda, New York, Police Department responded to a fire at a small apartment building. Shortly after arrival, he was met by two firefighters; the three entered the residence and escorted one individual to safety. Once outside, Officer Bohnstadt was advised that there could be other victims. With the fire personnel busy retrieving equipment, he entered the building alone, despite the steadily growing fire and smoke. Officer Bohnstadt located an apartment with an elderly man inside, advised him of the fire and to get ready for evacuation, and checked on the other unit, at which he got no response. Upon returning to assist the elderly victim, Officer Bohnstadt found the door locked. Further, because of the noise and smoke, he could not hear or speak to use his radio to call for help for himself and the victims, now trapped upstairs by the intense heat, smoke, and flames. Officer Bohnstadt kicked in the door and entered. He then placed his patrol jacket at the bottom of the front door to slow the entrance of the smoke and used the individual's phone to call dispatch to advise them of his and the elderly victim's location and that there possibly was a tenant in the other apartment. He then waited with the elderly man until fire personnel arrived. All parties in both units were brought out to safety and subsequently received medical attention. The brave, selfless actions of Officer Bohnstadt helped save these individuals' lives.

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