Trooper honored for fiery rescue on Eastern Shore

Posted to: News Eastern Shore
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Trooper Kurt J. Johnson crawled inside a burning car filled with smoke, found 3-year-old Destineé N. Davis under the dashboard and pulled her out a back door.

From the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission:

Kurt James Johnson saved Destineé N. Davis from burning, Pastoria, Virginia, February 6, 2009. Destineé, 3, was a passenger in a car that, at night, left the highway, overturned onto its roof, and caught fire. Her mother escaped the wreckage with two other children. On routine patrol nearby, Johnson, 43, state police trooper, responded to the scene on seeing flames there. Alerted by her mother that Destineé remained in the vehicle, Johnson used his fire extinguisher against flames that issued from the vehicle's exposed underside and engine area. With flames persisting, being fed by leaking gasoline, Johnson then opened the rear door on the passenger side of the vehicle. Although the passenger compartment was filled with dense smoke that precluded visibility, he crawled inside and maneuvered to the front. Finding Destineé under the dashboard, he grasped her by her jacket and hugged her to himself. He maneuvered back to the opened door and exited the car. Flames spread throughout the vehicle. Destineé was hospitalized for treatment of her injuries, and she recovered. Johnson also required hospital treatment, for smoke inhalation, and he too recovered.

By Lauren King
Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 31, 2009

A Virginia State Police trooper has been awarded a Carnegie Medal for saving a little girl from a burning, overturned car on the Eastern Shore.

Trooper Kurt J. Johnson, 44, is one of 23 new recipients of the medal, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission said.

Based in Pittsburgh, the commission gives the award to people who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or trying to save others.

Johnson said he’s honored and grateful for the award but just as happy that he was in the right place at the right time.

On Feb. 6 in Pastoria, Accomack County, Johnson was driving south on U.S. 13 when he saw a fire near an empty house. As he got closer, he saw that it was an overturned vehicle on fire.

Danielle Strand was screaming that her daughter, 3-year-old Destineé N. Davis, was trapped.

Johnson said he initially tried to put out the fire, but the gas in the car’s tank outlasted his extinguisher.

Three of the four doors were crushed closed. As he began to climb into the back door on the driver’s side, the smoke was thick. He took a deep breath and crawled to the front of the car, he said.

He stopped when he saw Destineé’s eyes. By the hood of her coat, he pulled her from under the dashboard, then picked her up and carried her out of the car to her waiting mother, brother and sister. They had already escaped.

“She didn’t cry or anything,” Johnson said.

Destineé was treated at a hospital and recovered. She suffered two broken legs.

Johnson “clearly went above and beyond the call of duty and is most deserving of this prestigious recognition,” Col. W. Steven Flaherty, State Police superintendent, said in a statement.

A total of 9,327 Carnegie Medals have been granted since the fund was created in 1904. This fall, Johnson was featured in Parade magazine’s annual America’s Top Police Officers roundup.

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The Purple Heart

Submitted by cwc63995 on Fri, 01/01/2010 at 12:55 am.

I have read some comments concerning the awarding of the Purple Heart.
I agree that some may not deserve it, and rightly so, but my wife's Uncle was awarded the Purple Heart by President Franklin Roosevelt, not because of what he did,but what he never had a chance to do, You see, he was on the USS Arizona on Sunday December 7th, 1941,when the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor, and sent the Arizona to the bottom of the sea along with over 1,000 other brave Americans. To me these guys were heros even though they never got the chance to fight, I have respect for the Purple Heart,even though the person receiving it may not deserve it.

True Hero

Submitted by thebigd on Thu, 12/31/2009 at 10:58 am.

Trooper Johnson is a true hero. When you chance loosing your own life to save another, you have met the definition of a hero. Too many people consider movie stars, sports figures or people like Michael Jackson a hero. Every person that has received the Purple Heart is not a hero. I know of a few that were retreating when they should have been fighting and were wounded in the rear that received the Purple Heart. The hero's that stayed and fought did not receive a medal or free medical treatment for life. Receiving the Purple Heart does not make one a hero. A medal of valor is how one is rewarded for action beyond what is expected. I realize we don't live in a fair world but I'm tired of people thinking those that received a Purple Heart are all heroes.

Bravo Zulu

Submitted by bruceb29329 on Thu, 12/31/2009 at 10:00 am.

Back in the my navy days we would say, Bravo Zulu! Well done. Stay safe and come home in the vertical position.

good story

Submitted by globaltrekkie on Thu, 12/31/2009 at 12:32 am.

A true hero. I wish we could hear about more stories like this that involve law enforcement.

Trooper Johnson

Submitted by cwc63995 on Wed, 12/30/2009 at 6:09 pm.

The actions of Trooper Johnson in saving that child, prove that he is a credit to his profession, and to the State Police and every Good Police Officer,who risk their lives every day for each and everyone of us. What he did was probably done without a second thought for his own life,which was directed by God. He is a Hero of the Highest Order,and I am sure that the child's mother prays for this man every night. Law Enforcement Officers like you,make up for all the things which give Police a Black Eye and break the law which they are sworn to uphold. As a citizen,I thank You
Trooper Johnson for going beyond your duty to save this child. Your command should be very proud of you for you service. It's good to read something nice about Police Officers for a change.