Off-Duty Police Officer Rescues Man from Fiery Gold Star Bridge Crash

RECORD-8B3D | C. RODGERS | 2023

% TASK COMPLETE

100%

Off duty cop Corneilius Rodgers pulls a pinned man out of his car before flames engulth the vehicle.. he has the help of others

CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN CITY OF GROTON: 04/22/2023

A Moment of Courage Caught on Camera

CITY OF GROTON, CT April 22 2023. From her office up on the fourth floor of a red brick NYU building at 239 Green St. in NYC, Jacqueline S. Mattis explains altruism behavior in humans as the preservation of a gene that keeps us safe and able to rear offspring with copies of that gene. What does it feel like when the system goes off? People with the gene describe it as a severe sense of unease that has to be remedied by running into life threatening danger to restore function. On a Friday morning, an off-duty New London police officer, Lieutenant Cornelius Rodgers, became one of a several unnamed local heros as he returned from a workout at the gym to join a group of good Samaritans who rescued a man from a burning car on the Gold Star Bridge in City of Groton, home of Electric Boat/General Dynamics. A short time after the rescue the wall of flames spread under the car, engulfing and destroying it. It would have been a horrific scene otherwise.

Lt. Rodgers has always been passionate about serving his community and found himself in the spotlight when his courageous act was captured on the SD card of a bystander's camera. Rogers is said not to hesitate to lend a helping hand, whether on or off duty.

Quick Thinking and Instincts in Action

As the fuel tanker caught fire and the flames escalated, Lt. Rodgers witnessed a man with a cell phone running towards a wrecked car, then another, signaling that someone was trapped inside. Without wasting any time, he sprang from his car, dashing towards the vehicle in his workout white hoodie.

Upon reaching the driver's side, Rodgers realized that the damaged car door could not be opened. With the flames steadily approaching, he felt the heat intensifying.

A Race Against Time

Knowing the urgency of the situation, Lt. Rodgers, along with two other individuals, made a split-second decision to rescue the unresponsive man from the other side of the car. His legs were pinned, making extraction difficult. However, thanks to the combined efforts of the trio, they managed to pull the victim 200 yards to safety.

A grateful Lt. Rodgers credited the teamwork for the successful rescue, acknowledging that he couldn't have done it alone. Once the man was safe, Rodgers flagged down a Groton police officer for assistance.

Reflections on Heroism and Humanity

The brave officer has received numerous congratulatory messages for his heroic act, something he believes anyone should be willing to do for others. Despite being hailed as a hero, Lt. Rodgers took the time to express his condolences to the tanker driver, Wallace Fauquet III of Stonington, who tragically lost his life in the accident.

Rodgers emphasized the importance of recognizing everyday heroes like Fauquet, who worked hard to provide for his family of four. In the face of crisis, he believes that the best of New London County's residents came together to help one another.

A Survivor's Journey to Recovery

The man who was pulled from the wreckage was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. This life-saving rescue, along with the outpouring of support, demonstrates the power of community and the strength of the human spirit when faced with adversity.

GPT4 WROTE THIS POEM ON LT. RODGERS

References:

1: The Social Production of Altruism: Motivations for Caring Action in a Low-Income Urban Community. Mattis JS, Hammond WP, Grayman N, Bonacci M, Brennan W, Cowie SA, Ladyzhenskaya L, So S.American journal of community psychology. 2009 Mar; 43(1-2): 71-84PMC [article]PMCID: PMC3049186 PMID: 19156513 DOI: 10.1007/s10464-008-9217-5
2: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/top-video-ott/exclusive-man-speaks-on-helping-person-trapped-in-gold-star-bridge-fiery-crash/3018682/
3: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-truck-fire-i95-gold-star-bridge/

New London Voice, 2023

TONY STARK

I knew something was absolutely wrong when I went to GA10 Court and found the attorney assigned to me refused to get the evidence I asked him for. Shawn Tiernan seems like he works for Prosecutor Smith in every way. He actually told me "The law does not apply." I mean really? In a court? I've played on basketball courts with more jurisdiction. Leave it to lawyers right?"