Roger Kujawa helped to rescue Gary M. Bernard from burning, Edwards, Illinois, September 18, 1989. Bernard, 44, sheriff’s deputy, was trapped inside his patrol car after it collided with a garbage truck. The garbage truck’s fuel tank ruptured in the accident, and both vehicles broke into flame. Kujawa, 32, zoning inspector, drove upon the scene and approached the passenger side of the burning car. Its passenger door was jammed shut. Despite the growing flames and intense heat, Kujawa and another man who had arrived bent the window frame to enlarge the opening. They reached inside the car, grasped Bernard, and, joined by another man, pulled him out of the car and carried him away. The car was shortly engulfed in flames, and rounds of ammunition in the car exploded. Bernard was hospitalized one month for first-, second-, and third-degree burns. Kujawa sustained a minor burn to his right hand and recovered in about one week.
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