CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A Chicago Police officer says he was in the right place at the right time Wednesday morning when he helped rescue a man in a wheelchair from a South Side fire.
Chicago Police Officer Adrian McCoy is a school resource officer at Englewood STEM High School.
While patrolling the neighborhood Wednesday morning, he happened to see smoke coming from a home in the 6700 block of South Normal Avenue.
"I saw several people running in and out," said McCoy. "So I immediately just ran into action."
One resident told McCoy someone was trapped upstairs in a wheelchair and without hesitating, he single-handedly carried Joseph Ortiz and his wheelchair outside.
"I just committed to it and said 'let's go' and my whole thought was to get him out with this wheelchair and to safety."
A total of four people escaped the house fire unharmed and Officer McCoy was treated at the University of Chicago for smoke inhalation.
After recovering, he called Ortiz and his family.
"It was very sentimental and very heartfelt to know how grateful they are of what I did and how grateful to God I am to be at that right moment at that time."
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown Said the greatest gift we can give is the gift of life.
"Officer McCoy displayed true heroism and professionalism by conducting himself in the highest standard of police service, acting on his duty to protect others," said Brown.
"He put his own wellbeing aside to ensure the safety of the residents. Officer McCoy is just one example of the courage, bravery, dedication, and commitment all of our Chicago police officers exhibit every day, every shift, to protect the people of Chicago."
