ROYSTON, Ga. — A Royston police officer is being credited with saving a woman’s life after rushing into a burning home during the early morning hours Wednesday.
Emergency crews were dispatched around 2:20 a.m. to a reported residential structure fire on Grove Street. Royston Police Department officers arrived first and found a single-family home with smoke showing. Occupants were believed to be trapped inside, prompting an immediate search of the residence, said Royston Police Chief Brooks Moorhead.
Patrol Officer Elizabeth Eddy quickly located flames coming from a bedroom and discovered a female occupant still inside. With what officials described as total disregard for her own safety, Eddy entered the burning building and pulled the woman outside.
Firefighter West Franklin arrived as they were exiting and helped both Eddy and the rescued occupant to safety.
Eddy’s co-worker, Patrol Officer Josh Fowler, praised her actions in a statement.
“(Patrolman) Eddy remained inside the burning structure for over a minute while battling the extreme heat, heavy smoke, and other hazards associated with the fire,” Fowler said. “In my 22 years of law enforcement experience, I have rarely witnessed such an act of bravery. Officer Eddy displayed extraordinary courage and heroism by placing herself in immediate danger to save another person’s life.”
Chief Moorhead said Eddy’s actions went far beyond the call of duty.
“Patrolman Elizabeth Eddy went above and beyond her duties placing herself in grave danger to save a Royston resident,” Moorhead said. “We are blessed to have her as a member of this department. She sets the bar high for us all.”
Moorhead said he is recommending Eddy for the department’s Life Saving with Valor award, which is presented to officers or civilian employees who, “with total disregard for their personal safety, saved or attempted to save the life of another.”
Fire crews assisted officers in continuing the search and helped remove the second trapped occupant. Both were treated at the scene and transported by EMS to a local medical facility.
Initial responding agencies included the Royston Fire Department and Franklin Springs Fire Department, with additional support from Hart County Fire Department Stations 3 and 8, Franklin County EMS, the Royston City Water Department, and the Royston City Gas Department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office. Officials said more details will be released as they become available.
