Southfield Police Officer Patrick McCormick was honored last week by the City’s police and fire departments for putting his life on the line by entering a burning vehicle to rescue an unconscious man. 

McCormick was honored with the Southfield Fire Chief's Award for risking his life to save another and the Southfield Police Challenge Coin, which is awarded for excellence.

The Police Officers Labor Council member jumped into action following a serious two-vehicle collision near Eight Mile and Northland Drive around 11:36 p.m. March 11, according to police. Preliminary investigation suggests the driver of a red Ford Edge went through a red traffic signal at a high rate of speed crashing into a silver Ford Edge traversing the intersection on a green light, police said.

Occupants were trapped inside both vehicles. Witnesses helped the driver get out of the red Ford Edge, which was on fire when first responders arrived. Detroit Fire and Rescue and Southfield Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.

Officer McCormick spotted a front seat passenger in the red Ford Edge and immediately entered the fully engulfed vehicle and pulled the unresponsive man out. Several witnesses used Southfield Police fire extinguishers and their clothing to smother the fire from the passenger until Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to provide lifesaving aid, police said.

The driver of the silver Ford Edge was trapped inside that smoking vehicle, so Southfield Police Officer Sean Taylor broke the driver’s side window and removed the airbag to provide aid to the driver until Southfield Fire and Rescue could extract the victim and provide lifesaving aid.

The victims and Officer McCormick were transported to area hospitals. The two drivers suffered critical injuries but were in the ICU in stable condition. The front seat passenger passed away the following day, according to police. Officer McCormick was treated for multiple first degree burns and smoke inhalation and released.

Click here for a video of the incident on Fox News and The Detroit News article for more details.