‘True heroes’: Swansea brothers, police officers honored for saving man from burning home
Standing ovations punctuated the Swansea Village Board meeting Monday night as three young brothers and three police officers were honored for their roles in rescuing a man trapped in a burning home last month.
The boys, all brothers, were recognized for asking their neighbor to call 911 when they saw smoke coming from another neighbor’s home on March 28 in the 300 block of Marla Kay Drive near Centennial Park.
And the police officers were credited for busting through a garage door so the resident in the burning home could escape. The department previously released body camera footage of the rescue.
Roman Goodman, 6, Xavier Goodman, 10, and Darius Goodman, 11, received the life saver award during the meeting from Police Chief Matthew Blomberg.
Xavier said in an interview after the meeting that they were kicking around a soccer ball when they noticed “big black smoke popping out of the house” across the street from their home. They immediately contacted another neighbor about the smoke.
“I feel happy that we could save a life,” Darius said.
Blomberg praised the boys’ quick thinking.
“We honor their valor today not only for helping save a life but for showing the world that true heroes come in all forms, no matter how young,” he said.
The Goodman brothers each received a proclamation from Blomberg. They attend High Mount School.
After handing the boys their awards, Blomberg gave life saver awards to Swansea Police Officers Justin Schutzbach, Matt Lindley, and Sgt. Breanna Kemper-Damm.
After hearing someone in the garage of the home on the fire, the officers used their bodies to smash open the garage door so a man could escape before firefighters arrived.
Blomberg previously said the man suffered smoke inhalation and was expected to make a full recovery.
He told the Village Board members he’s proud of the department’s police officers.
“They do phenomenal work every day,” he said.
