MATTOON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— A member of the Mattoon Police Department is being recognized by the police and fire departments for his heroic actions in relation to a fire on November 23.
Officer AJ Roley with the Mattoon Police Department was recognized by members of the fire and police departments for actions he made in relation to a structure fire at 2809 Shelby Avenue in Mattoon Illinois. According to a Facebook post by the Mattoon Firefighters Local 691, Officer Roley noticed smoke in the area while on a regular patrol and decided to take action. He was not only the first to notify dispatch of the fire, but when he noticed no individuals outside of the home he went to the front door in an attempt to aid those who could be inside.
Officer Roley was able to notify the residents of the fire and assist in evacuating them from the home. In total three adults and five children from ages one to seventeen were able to exit the home safely. One of the adults in the home was blind and Officer Roley entered the home and led the individual out by holding his hand and leading him to safety with the fire dropping through the ceiling behind him.
Officer Roley, with assistance from other officers, was also able to reenter the home and retrieve a cage with hamsters and a service animal in a cage from the burning building. In a news release from the Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, he stated “There is no doubt in my mind that without the actions of Officer Roley, this would have been a fatal fire.”
