Walterboro officer honored for saving a man and his dog from fire

A Walterboro public safety officer who rescued a man and his dog from a burning building was honored this week.

Officer Jon Edwards was presented with the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association’s Life Saving Award during a city council meeting Tuesday, according to a news release issued today.

On March 7, Edwards was dispatched to Peachtree and Sherwood Drive in response to a possible fire. When he got there, he saw heavy fire coming from the rear of a condemned house, which was thought to have been unoccupied.

But Edwards noticed a vehicle parked along the front of the property, so he knocked on the door and announced his presence. He heard a faint voice, followed by coughing. Though he did not have protective fire gear, Edwards went inside and found a man and got him outside. The man told Edwards a dog was inside and Edwards went back in to rescue the dog, the release said.

Once a fire engine arrived, Edwards grabbed a hose line and began the initial exterior attack on the fire.

“The gentleman and his loyal companion were saved from the fire, thanks to the heroism of Officer Jon Edwards,” said Mayor Bill Young as he presented the award. “The city is fortunate to have someone of his character, sense of urgency and commitment to the role of keeping Walterboro and its citizens safe from harm.”

Edwards has been with the city since July 1 and lives in Walterboro.