The 8th Police District named Officers Gregory Sulock and Stefan Gallagher as Officers of the Month for April for rescuing a woman from a burning apartment building on April 28.
Sulock was on patrol in the 8900 block of Frankford Ave. at 10:30 a.m. when he saw smoke billowing from the property. Neighbors who had gathered outside the building told the officer that a woman was trapped in a second-floor apartment.
The entrances to the property were locked, so Sulock kicked in a rear door, ascended a flight of stairs and heard the woman screaming for help. Despite thick smoke that blocked his vision, Sulock used the woman’s voice to find her.
Gallagher was next to arrive on the scene. Realizing that Sulock was inside the burning building, Gallagher also entered to assist. By that time, Sulock was experiencing the effects of smoke inhalation. Gallagher helped Sulock out of the building as Philadelphia fire fighters rescued the woman.
The woman and Sulock were each taken to a local hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. The woman also was treated for burns.
Thanks to the courageous actions of Sulock and Gallagher, no fatalities resulted from the fire. ••
