Hero Border Patrol agent saves driver from burning vehicle
by Hugh Holub on Jun. 21, 2011, under border patrol, border patrol tucson sector, politicsSaturday, off-duty Border Patrol agent Jack Johnson assisted with a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 19, saving the life of a driver whose vehicle was on fire.
Photos from US Border Patrol:
From US Border Patrol June 21, 2011:
Hero Border Patrol Agent Saves Driver from Burning Vehicle
Agent pulls driver from car moments before it becomes inferno
TUCSON, Ariz. – While driving Saturday afternoon, the off-duty Nogales Station agent Jack Johnson (who has been with the BP for 6 months) observed a two-vehicle accident on I-19 and stopped to render assistance. As the agent approached the scene, he noticed one of the vehicles was on fire with the driver trapped inside.
Two bystanders were trying to break the passenger window with a fire extinguisher in an attempt to rescue the driver from the smoke filled vehicle.
As they continued trying to get the window open, Johson noticed that the driver’s hair was beginning to burn.
Agent Johnson fired his service firearm into the passenger window, breaking the glass, which allowed him to open the passenger door and pull the driver to safety, saving her life.
Subsequently, a few seconds after extracting the driver, the car became fully engulfed in flames.
Border Patrol agents are extremely dedicated to saving lives, even off duty. The Border Patrol is an agency that responds to all types of threats with agents who are highly trained.
Fortunately, the agent was in the area and everyone was able to leave the scene safely.
Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security has made significant investments towards establishing a secure and safe border environment and improving the quality of life throughout the communities in the state of Arizona.
The Border Patrol welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity by calling toll free 1-877-872-7435. All calls will be answered and will remain anonymous.
~CBP~
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
COMMENT: Jack Johnson is one of the many hundreds of thousands of “oath people” who work in this country as law enforcement officers, fire fightrers, military service people…who when they see a problem they step forward and do something.
I’ve done “after action” interviews with law enforcement officers and fire fighters who risked their lives jumping into flooded washes or running into burning buildings to save people and always the response has been the same…”I’m no hero…I just did what I had to do.”
America is a much better place to live because we have people like Johnson who will step up to a situation and help others.
Jack Johnson is a hero !
June 22nd, 2011 on 8:17 pm
Might have been nice of you, Hugh, to have given some credit to those bystanders that were also trying to rescue that woman.
Appreciate much, Hugh, that you keep publishing those slick press releases from CBP here on your site.
Not so appreciative, though, when you anoint a Border Patrol officer a hero, while ignoring the efforts those bystanders also made to rescue that woman.
June 23rd, 2011 on 5:51 am
i’m sure everyone was appreciated!
June 23rd, 2011 on 6:12 am
Jack was also a bystander that happend to be driving by. He was off duty and a TRUE hero! He served as a US Marine duing and after 9/11 for ALL of us. Did YOU pull her out? Did you break her window? No, Jack did. Why are you so bitter that he gets recongized for doing so?
I LOVE YOU JACK (JJ)! Not only because you are my 1st cousin but because you care about ALL people. Even the ones like this guy complaining about you. Keep doing what you do best! Being a TRUE HERO! ~ Heather
June 23rd, 2011 on 2:46 pm
Thank you Heather, but no one needs to be bitter. I don’t feel like a hero and I thank the ones there helping VERY much. It would have been a lot worse without the fire extinguisher and everyone helping pull her out. A lot of bystanders assisted and I am very thankful for all them. Sorry other people didn’t get recognition but it shouldn’t be that important. They know they were there and should feel good for helping save her life.
June 23rd, 2011 on 3:48 pm
JJ…I hear you…but thank you !!!!!!!
You and the rest of the folks exemplify something very special about us as a people….instead of driving by …folks stop and jump out of their cars and do whatever is necessary.
We are all a better society because of you and the other folks.
Thank you !!!