Benton officer to be recognized for saving woman from fire

— The Benton Police Department says it will honor a police officer who saved a woman from a burning house the day after Christmas.

Benton Police Department spokesman Lt. Kevin Russell said Officer Chris Goss will be recognized for the Dec. 26 rescue, though the recognition is still in the "formative stages."

"We are extremely proud of what he did and the fact that he went well above and beyond the call of duties, especially as a police officer going into a burning building," Russell said.

Goss responded about 10:15 a.m. to 2908 Derby Road, where he found a home on fire with thick, black smoke coming out of all sides of the roof.

A neighbor reported the homeowner was bedridden inside. Goss entered, crawling through the smoke to the resident's back bedroom. Goss then picked the woman up and carried her from the burning home, police said.

Russell said he believes the woman was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. He said he didn't know whether the woman had been in contact with Goss in the days since the fire.

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