On February 23, 2021, approximately 3:08 a.m., Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies Sergeant Andrew Dougan and Sergeant Jarod Aspenson responded to the 5000 block of Brush Creek Drive in reference to a reported vehicle fire. On arrival, deputies located a truck burning just a few feet from a residence. When attempts to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers were unsuccessful, Sergeant Dougan used his assigned truck with a tow strap to pull the burning vehicle away from the residence so flames would not spread to the house.
Columbus Township Fire Department and Elizabethtown Fire Department arrived on scene and quickly extinguished the blazing truck saving most of the personal items inside.
This is not the first time that Sergeant Dougan has had to fight a fire while on duty – In November, 2018, Sergeant Dougan, along with Deputy Robert Cooper, crawled through heavy smoke to save a man from his burning home. Deputies Dougan and Cooper were presented Awards of Valor by Indiana State Fire Marshal James Gregson for their heroic efforts.
“Many Bartholomew County areas rely on volunteer fire departments for their fire protection”, said Bartholomew County’s Chief Deputy Major Chris Lane. “Our deputies often work alongside our volunteer firefighters and we greatly appreciate their service”, added Lane.