Archbishop John Carroll Assembly No. 2546

Lakeland, FL

1/26/2008

Pictured are award recipient Officer Michael Cardin, SK George McCurdy, and Chief Roger Boatner.

See below for background of his award nomination.

In the early morning hours of March 23, 2007, the Communications Center dispatched a call regarding  a 1999 Oldsmobile that had crashed on Providence Road. Officers were advised the vehicle was on fire and the occupants were trapped inside. The car had flipped upside down, was crushed and in flames, and was resting against a large utility pole. The driver of the vehicle had been able to pull himself from the wreckage; however the passenger was still trapped inside.

 

Without hesitation, Officer Michael Cardin crawled into the burning vehicle and was able to drag the trapped passenger to safety. Other officers arrived and began to tackle the fire with an extinguisher in order to keep the flames away from Officer Cardin and the passenger. She was transported to LRMC where she received medical treatment for possible broken ribs and a punctured lung.

 

Officer Cardin’s actions attest to his professional competence, dedication to duty, compassion for others and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Lakeland Police Department—Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence.