Clinton County Deputy Brett Winegarner pulled up to the scene of an Illinois highway collision; yet he managed to stay calm in the midst of chaos. 

A wrong-way driver had slammed into a mother and her 16-year-old son, who was driving on his learner’s permit that night. The young driver acted quickly to avoid a head-on collision, and thankfully made it out with minor injuries.

But the mother was trapped – pinned down by the crushed hood of the car, which was ignited with flames. 

Deputy Winegarner sprinted to the car with the fire extinguisher from his patrol car, amid pleas for help from both the mother and her son. He stayed calm and focused on the task at hand: keeping the fire at bay until fire and backup arrived and her injuries could be cautiously assessed before removal from the car.

Carlyle Police Officer Mark Taylor arrived next on the scene, and immediately got to work with his own extinguisher to tackle the flames. But after a minute or two, both of their extinguishers ran empty. 

Fire sirens could be heard in the distance, but they wouldn’t arrive fast enough. Time was running out. As the fire started to overtake the vehicle, both officers knew it was time to extract the woman from the car to save her life. 

Deputy Winegarner jumped inside the back seat of the car and found the handle to lower her seat. He pulled her into the back seat and out the rear passenger door, as Officer Taylor supported her lower legs. Together, they carried her to safety. 

Just moments later, the car was fully engulfed in the raging fire. 

The mother-of-three suffered cracked ribs, cuts, and a broken back – but thanks to the fast and fearless actions of both officers, she made it out alive.

These officers were not from the same jurisdiction, yet they barely had to exchange words during the incident. Their teamwork was instinctive and precise – a powerful testament to the shared training and bravery of those who serve to keep us safe. These officers exemplified dedication, teamwork, and the life-saving power of those committed to service and public safety.