Officer of the Month August 2020

Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan

Deptford Township (NJ) Police Department

Officer of the Month August 2020 - Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan
Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum has named Patrol Lieutenant David Grogan as the August 2020 Officer of the Month.

On May 16, 2020, Deptford Township (NJ) police responded to a report of a fire at an apartment building. When officers arrived, they found the building heavily engulfed in smoke and flames. They were also advised that three residents were trapped in their apartments.

The officers were able to enter one apartment through a sliding glass door and rescue one resident. Billlowing smoke and flames prevented the officers from using a stairwell to reach the second floor. At this point, Officer Todd Brown arrived on the scene and was able to pull his patrol car up to the balcony of another apartment where two residents remained trapped. Lieutenant Grogan began calling out to the trapped residents when he heard a woman respond. Lieutenant Grogan then crawled onto the balcony and into the burning apartment to locate her. He found the woman and pulled her onto the balcony where firefighters were waiting. Lieutenant Grogan helped lower the woman onto a fire truck ladder where she was helped to safety. Firefighters were able to rescue the third resident from the burning apartment.
“Lieutenant Grogan showed a high level of bravery by entering a burning building to rescue two residents ,” stated Acting Chief of Police Frank Newkirk. “Those residents might not have survived if not for Lieutenant Grogan’s bravery.”
“When I hear stories of bravery like that of Lieutenant Grogran, I know why we have an Officer of the Month Award,” said National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto. “The men and women who serve in law enforcement go to work each day ready to help keep the rest of us safe, no matter what dangers they may face during their day. Their bravery, like that of Lieutenant Grogan, makes me proud that we are able to honor their service in some small way.”
The rescued apartment residents, along with Lieutenant Grogan, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Lieutenant Grogan was treated for smoke inhalation.

Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

Police Unity Tour
The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.