26-year-old who rescued 1 from burning garage honored as state police's Trooper of the Year

From left, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Trooper Levi Fleming and Col. Bill Bryant, director of Arkansas State Police
From left, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Trooper Levi Fleming and Col. Bill Bryant, director of Arkansas State Police

A 26-year-old has been named the Arkansas State Police's Trooper of the Year for saving an individual who doused himself with gasoline and then started a fire.

Levi Fleming of Brinkley, who has worked for the agency for for years, responded to a disturbance call in Devalls Bluff on Jan. 21, 2017. An intoxicated person had forced his way into a home, grabbed a shotgun and poured gas on part of the residence's garage and himself, according to a news release.

State police said Fleming entered the garage with a fire extinguisher and was able to get the individual — who sustained serious burns to 40 percent of his body — out.

Fleming was among 30 honored Wednesday at the agency's annual awards ceremony, which was also attended by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Special agents 44-year-old Larry J. Carter of Atkins and 43-year-old Becky Vacco of Flippin received distinguished meritorious service awards. After a five-hour standoff. Sgt. Carter was able to negotiate the surrender of 42-year-old James Arthur Bowden, who is suspected of killing 3 people, including a Yell County sheriff's deputy. Cpl. Vacco was honored for her work investigating the killing of a 23-month-old and the beatings of two other infants.

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