Lexington Officers Awarded for Saving Residents from Fire

The residents of a Lexington apartment building survived a fire in the early hours of Valentine's Day thanks to the actions of four officers with the Lexington Police Department. 

Officer Earl Alewine, who was the first on the scene of the fire, received the Lexington Police Department's first-ever Medal of Valor at Monday's town council meeting. 

When Alewine arrived at Chimney Ridge Apartments around 12:41 a.m. on Feb. 14, he saw heavy black smoke coming from building 400. From a window outside, he saw a woman sitting on a bed that was on fire in one of the first-floor apartments.

Alewine rushed in and removed the woman, who was in a state of shock and was suffering from smoke inhalation. The woman was taken to the hospital for minor burns and smoke inhalation. 

Despite suffering from smoke inhalation himself, Alewine returned to the apartment building with three other officers and helped evacuate the other residents. 

The three other officers - Corporal Earron Sturges, Officer Robert Bensenyi and Officer Dustin Currier - were awarded the Chief's Letter of Commendation. 

Police Chief Terrence Green said that “because of the time of night, quick-spreading fire and smoke conditions and the fact that no residents of the building had evacuated prior to their arrival, the actions of these officers undoubtedly saved lives."