Bristow resident and Virginia state trooper Brandon D. West doesn’t think he did anything another officer wouldn’t have done when he pulled a man and his dog from a burning vehicle on June 9, 2013. But Virginia state records say West “exemplified the noble mission of all law-enforcement officers, to protect and serve, through his life-saving actions in the line of duty.”
Whether or not West thinks he did anything special, in May, he will receive the Virginia State Police Superintendent's Award of Honor and the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award. In late April, he received a Prince William County Chamber of Commerce Silver Award of Valor.
The rescue occurred while West and fellow officer Charles Lanfranchi were monitoring the northbound side of Interstate 95 near Dumfries. A call came from dispatch that there had been reports of an accident. West and Lanfranchi noticed a pickup truck had crashed into a utility pole on the opposing side of the interstate.
When the vehicle immediately began to emit smoke and they did not see anyone come out of the truck, the officers responded immediately, running approximately 150 yards through the underground tunnel connecting the weigh station scale houses on either side of the interstate. why not try these out
After reaching the disabled vehicle, West helped pull the driver to safety. He then returned to help rescue the driver’s dog. Moments afterward, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
“Thanks to Brandon West’s bravery, selflessness and quick thinking,” the records say, the owner of the vehicle and the dog survived.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers,” said West, “but I don’t know any trooper who would not have acted in the same way. It was a blessing we were there…the right place at the right time.”
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