DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Congratulations, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Deputy First Class Marcus Dawson!
Dawson received the 2022 Flagler County “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” award from Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida during their annual banquet Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway.
Dawson, a K-9 handler, was recognized for his heroism while rescuing a three-year-old child from a burning home in Palm Coast last October, according to a release.
Related: Deputy rescues 3-year-old from Flagler County house fire
“Deputy Dawson exemplifies a life of dedicated service and acts of kindness and compassion, both professionally and personally,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, who was on hand to see Dawson win the award, said. “His quick response and courage prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy. I would also like to congratulate Bunnell Police Department Officer Alexander Kilpatrick for being recognized by Crime Stoppers.”
According to the release, on Oct. 17, 2021, Deputy Dawson responded to a house fire in the W section of Palm Coast. He discovered flames inside the kitchen and thick black smoke spreading from there to the rest of the home. After receiving no response from anyone inside, Deputy Dawson entered the home through an unlocked screen door in the back patio and spotted the child watching cartoons while hiding under a blanket in the master bedroom. DFC Dawson carried the child out to paramedics, who checked him out and found no injuries. The rescue was captured on body camera video.
The Sheriff’s Office said it learned that the father went to pick up dinner and left the sleeping child home with an older sibling. All three residents of the home were reported safe and uninjured.
Dawson is currently a member of FCSO’s K9 Unit and Emergency Response Team.
Watch our coverage from the Oct. rescue below.