On Tuesday, Warren city leaders honored police officer Joe Wilson for his actions on November 14 when he arrived at a house fire and a man inside the house was calling for help.
Officer Wilson entered the house and found Cecil Ford in the middle of flames and heavy smoke lying on the living room floor.
"I tried to get him to move to me but he wasn't able to. So, I just kind of went for it. I picked him up, threw him over my shoulder, and got out of the house as fast as I could," Wilson said.
It was later determined that the man had escaped from the house with his wife, but then went back in to try and rescue their pets.
As a first responder, Officer Wilson probably saved the man's life. But Warren's fire chief said for the average citizen he has some strong advice.
"If you get out safely, stay out. What we have found is in most situations if you go back in you may not come back out," Chief Kenneth Nussle said.