HOMETOWN HEROES

Deputy Awards

BLUE MATTERS

It is not every day a person is able to save a life but, for two local police officers who celebrate their duty to protect us, it could be any day.

It's always possible that a given law enforcement incident might escalate, which is why those protecting our community are trained for worst-case scenarios. This is exactly what happened to Jarrell officers Pacer Korn and Jermi Romero (facing page) during a routine traffic stop that turned into a heroic night.

A NORMAL NIGHT

Right before Easter this year, in the pre-dawn hours, Officers Korn and Romero pulled a car over on IH-35 for speeding. Officer Korn was field training Officer Romero that night and when they reached the car and realized narcotics may be present, the routine traffic stop suddenly took a turn. The officers followed protocol by detaining the driver in the back seat of the police vehicle, and the passenger was asked to stand in front.

While the officers searched the car on the side of the highway, another vehicle approached. The vehicle, an SUV driven by a drunk driver, slammed into the patrol car, which immediately burst into flames. The SUV and the rear of the patrol car were destroyed on impact.

According to Officer Korn, the patrol car was hit so hard that it was pushed about 15 feet, and he was struck by the passenger side mirror, while Officer Romero was still next to the original suspects' vehicle. To make matters worse, with flames present and temperatures climbing inside the vehicle, some of the officers' stored flares and live rounds exploded and were expelled on random trajectories.

“We were already elevated, having to deal with the extra stress of the search,” Romero says. “You think about those unpredictable things but they don't seem likely until they happen to you.”

by Cassidie Cox photos courtesy Jarrell Police Dept.

WE DO IT WITHOUT THINKING, IT’S PART OF THE JOB. GOOD GUYS OR BAD GUYS, IT DOESN’T MATTER. ~OFC. ROMERO

Officer Korn Officer Romero

AN EXTRAORDINARY TEAM

Immediately, the two officers went into action to protect the driver and passenger they had detained. The passenger at the front of the patrol car was launched over the suspect car, but Officer Romero was able to break the fall. While Officer Romero ensured the passenger who had been thrown was okay, Officer Korn sprung into action and removed the detainee from the back of the patrol car. He then immediately set about rescuing the drunk driver, who was stuck in the SUV. Once all were moved a safe distance from the blaze, the officers used their own bodies—outfitted with protective gear—as shields against the randomly firing ammunition and flares.

These two officers used an undeniably small stretch of time to save the lives of everyone involved. All of the victims were rushed to the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery from the incident. The officers themselves were only mildly injured. Romero says he feels “blessed and fortunate that there were no critical injuries. Everything could have easily been smashed and made things a lot worse.”

Although it was a fantastic moment, saving the lives of strangers is simply part of their law enforcement training, explains Officer Korn; “It’s our duty; we’ll put ourselves in harm’s way to make sure people stay safe.”

A JOB WELL DONE

Recognition by Mayor Larry Bush was in order for the duo's service. Officer Korn received a life saving award, while Officer Romero received a merit award. Officer Romero even got a small memento of that night; the heat of the blaze was so intense that his backup pistol and handcuffs melted and burned (facing page). Chief Denney melted the pistol into a tire iron and framed the handcuffs in a shadow box as a keepsake. Such camaraderie between the chief and officers is yet another demonstration of how seriously they consider protection of our community, and that it is far from being unique to just these two officers. "It’s great (to be recognized), but this is what I signed up for,” says Officer Korn.

Although the incident was (hopefully) once in a lifetime, the officers have advice for every member of our community to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Something as simple as only getting behind the wheel sober, slowing down, and pulling over for vehicles on the sides of roads, can greatly diminish the possibility of a repeat disaster. It's comforting to think the Jarrell community is protected by great officers who are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to serve, and save, every day.

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