By Logan Andrew FreeWire-Magazine
In a powerful display of courage and quick thinking, newly obtained body cam footage—secured exclusively by FreeWire—shows three Galion police officers springing into action as they rescued a woman and her young child from a burning home last month.
The incident occurred on the morning of March 17, when Officers Tim Duncan, Kevin Schafer, and Austin Chaplin were dispatched to 121 E. Atwood Street following reports of a house fire. Upon arrival, smoke was already visible pouring from a back window.
In the footage, the officers can be seen approaching the house as one of them shouts, “We’ve got smoke!” Seconds later, they kick in the front door and enter the smoke-filled home without hesitation.
Inside, the visibility is low, and the officers can be heard calling out to the trapped residents. A woman upstairs responds, saying she and her four-year-old child are unable to escape due to the smoke. Officer Duncan makes his way up the staircase while Schafer and Chaplin maintain communication and assess the lower level. Duncan is heard calmly directing the mother and child through the smoke before escorting them both to safety.
The video—raw, intense, and unfiltered—captures not just the smoke and confusion, but the resolve of officers willing to risk their own safety to protect others. Both the woman and her child made it out unharmed, thanks to the officers' swift response.
Galion Police Chief Ryan Strange later praised the officers’ actions, stating that their bravery likely prevented a tragedy.
“Their fast decision-making and willingness to put themselves in danger helped save lives,” Strange said in a statement last month.
This is the first time the public is seeing footage of the rescue, which FreeWire obtained through a public records request. While the story was previously reported by a few outlets, none had released the visuals—until now.
The video serves as a vivid reminder of the everyday heroism local officers can display, often with little fanfare. It's also a testament to the importance of transparency, public records, and local journalism.
