K-9 Officer Kyle L. Scott has only been a member of the Danbury Township Police Department for a few months, but he was ready and eager to help after a car crashed recently, working with other officers to rescue a trapped driver. (Photo by D’Arcy Egan)

Officer Kyle L. Scott of the Danbury Township Police Department was on his way to work in early October when he heard radio traffic from Sgt. Mark Skinner of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department that a man was trapped in a burning automobile.

Scott was nearby and, without hesitation, rushed to the scene.

“Sgt. Skinner said it was a Code 4, an injury accident, and I could hear in his voice that it was a bad situation,” said Scott. “The vehicle had rolled over, and it was on fire. The driver was trapped inside.”

Sheriff’s Deputy Garrett Schling had arrived, as well, and together the three men were able to lift the vehicle off the driver’s side door that trapped the unresponsive driver. The Port Clinton Fire Department and EMS also arrived, and with the Jaws of Life, they removed the driver.

“This was real, and I could feel the heat from the burning car,” said Scott. “It was a real adrenalin rush, getting the driver out of the car and both men to the hospital.”

The accident happened on State Route 53, on the south side of Port Clinton in front of the Goldeneye Campground near State Route 2.

Scott grew up in Milan, Ohio, and had studied nursing before police work piqued his interest. He worked part-time for a couple of small police departments, then joined the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department. When the Danbury Township Police Department posted a job for a K-9 Officer, Scott made the switch.

Scott’s partner now is Kalahan, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever with a great personality and a wonderful nose. The lean, athletic young Lab is already sniffing out drugs, entertaining children and making friends.

“He’s quite the retriever, though he doesn’t get the chance to hunt,” said Scott. “He’s a real sweetheart, has a soft mouth and is not aggressive with other dogs or people. Kalahan is a great partner.”

The Danbury Township Board of Trustees and Chief Michael S. Meisler recently presented Scott with a Letter of Commendation. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department also extended its sincere appreciation for this assistance, and Scott was presented with a Lifesaving Pin to wear on his uniform.

“All of the police and fire agencies in this area work so well together,” said Scott. “During an emergency, you always know everyone is ready and willing to help. I had to make a split second decision that day, and knew immediately what I had to do.”

Scott also had praise for Chief Meisler and his brother, Sgt. Mark Meisler, who head the Danbury Township Police Department.

“They’re like fathers to the young officers, and we certainly appreciate it,” said Scott.