Point Beach Police Officer Given Highest Honor for Saving a Life

If Point Beach Police Officer Kyle Boturla had not kicked in the rear door of a burning house, crawled under heavy smoke and pulled out an unconscious man, he would not be alive today, said the man's son at Tuesday night's Point Beach Council meeting where Boturla and other police were honored.

Bob Berger, a Marlboro resident, came to the meeting to watch the mayor and council honor Boturla for saving his father, Eugene Berger, 78, when his home at 108 Washington Ave. was ablaze on Sept. 18. 

He also spoke at the microphone about how grateful he and his family were for the actions of Boturla and other officers and first responders at the scene.

Later, outside the meeting, Berger said, "If it wasn't for Kyle, it would have been over."

Berger said his father is still hospitalized, but has improved significantly during the past week.

"They have to work on getting him off the ventilator," Berger said. "But he's talking now. In the past week, he's really turned a corner."

Investigators had been inspecting the home's electrical system to see if that could have started the fire, but a cause has not been determined, said Berger. Patch had tried in vain in September to reach the Ocean County Fire Marshal's office to find out the cause.

Berger already lost his mother, Valerie Berger, two years ago and, he said, is so grateful he did not also lose his father.

Kathy Berger, Bob's wife, described Boturla, who had also been a Point Beach volunteer firefighter, as "our guardian angel."

Bob Berger said the fire damaged the home so extensively that it has to be demolished.

At the meeting, Boturla and other assisting officers were presented with honorary plaques and Councilman Bret Gordon, the police liaison to council, read the following statement prepared by the police department:

"On September 18, 2013 @ 04:16 hours, this department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire at 108 Washington Avenue. PFC Boturla was the first officer on scene, observing heavy smoke and fire coming from the front of the residence.  

PFC Boturla noted a parked vehicle in the driveway of the residence and confirmed from the neighbor that the homeowner was probably still inside. 

At this time the front of the house was fully engulfed in flames making entry through the front door impossible. PFC Boturla ran around to the back of the home and located a rear door.  

PFC Boturla yelled out for anyone that would hear him and then forced entry into the home by kicking the rear door in. PFC Boturla was immediately met with heavy smoke and intense heat forcing him to crawl into the home. 

PFC Boturla shortly located the homeowner, Eugene Burger, in the downstairs hallway, face down and unconscious. PFC (Police Officer First Class) Boturla dragged him back out of the rear door and was met by PFC Christopher Mosca. 

Both officers carried Mr. Burger out onto the sidewalk and administered first aid. Mr. Burger was administered oxygen and upon being loaded into the ambulance, was awake and alert to his surroundings. 

During the entire incident, Dispatcher Christopher Burger calmly and professionally coordinated the response of the Fire Department, First Aid Squad, and Paramedics.  

If not for the quick and heroic actions of these officers, the outcome of this structure fire would almost certainly have been a tragic one.

It is the Awards Committee's recommendation that Police Officer 1st Class Kyle Boturla be awarded the department’s highest award, the Award of Honor. 

The award reads as follows: 'In recognition for an outstanding act in the line of duty above and beyond what is required, at imminent personal hazard to life with full knowledge of the personal risk involved, specifically: For entering a fully involved structure fire at 108 Washington Avenue and rescuing Eugene Burger, who was found unconscious inside the residence.'

It is the Awards Committee recommendation that Police Officer 1st Class Christopher Mosca be awarded the Lifesaving Award. The award reads as follows: 'In recognition of an act performed in the line of duty, which through prompt and alert action, resulted in the saving of a life, specifically; With the assistance of PFC Kyle Boturla, rescue Eugene Burger from a structure fire at 108 Washington Avenue.'

It is the Awards Committee recommendation that Police Officer 1st Class Kyle Boturla, Police Officer 1st Class Christopher Mosca, and Dispatcher Christopher Burger be awarded the Unit Citation.  The award reads as follows:  'A team effort under extraordinary conditions including all participating staff members, who in support of departmental operations distinguished themselves to effectuate the protection of life and property, specifically: In recognition for your actions and assistance during a structure fire at 108 Washington Ave.' "

Editor's Note: Other officers and employees of the police department were honored Tuesday night and will be featured in separate stories.