Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 6 minutes ago

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An Athens-Clarke County police officer by the name of Dan Whitney risked everything when he responded to a call of a car on fire. His body camera caught the entire incident on video.

Upon his arrival, a man was yelling for help from a small rear driver-side window. Officer Whitney retrieved his fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire, then began trying to extricate the person trapped in the car. The driver of the vehicle (who could not be seen until after the flames were extinguished) burned to death in the fire. Without Officer Whitney’s rescue, the passenger likely would have suffered the same tragic death as the driver, as the backseat was completely melted and gutted within minutes. Other officers on scene described the heat from the fire as unbearable from 50 feet away.

Congratulations Officer Dan Whitney! The family of the man you saved from dying in that burning SUV are forever grateful.

If you know of a law enforcement officer, agency or department who displayed outstanding services in and out of uniform and would like to nominate them for this award please submit their information by going to treeoflogic.com