Hanover deputies pull child from burning home - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Hanover County sheriff's deputies broke into a burning home to save a little boy, and his family in Mechanicsville.

The home, next to Curtis Shepperson, went up in smoke and flames at about 3 a.m. Thursday morning. His daughter and her three children live there. They were trapped in the brick, ranch home as it became engulfed in fire.

Hanover County Sergeant Chris Whitley says the first deputy on the scene smashed a window to get inside the home, searching for anyone trapped.

"He's crawling through the house and calling out..seeing if anyone will answer him," said Whitley.

Three more deputies arrived before fire engines, and didn't hesitate to storm the house, as well. 

"It's a calling. It's not an obligation. They don't do it for the medals, or the money, or the glory," added Whitley.

Two of the officers located and carried an unconscious 11-year-old boy out of his bedroom. They also rescued the family's dog. Then, the deputies went back into the smoke and flames to continue searching for the rest of the family.

"On several occasions they had to exit the residence to get more oxygen," said Whitley of the deputies, who made multiple trips in and out of the burning home.

The mother, her baby and seven-year-old daughter escaped through a bathroom window.

Shepperson says his grandson is on a respirator in the hospital, and will likely be there for another week. The baby will also stay under medical care for the evening.

The officers are recovering at home after also being treated for smoke inhalation.

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