Long Island officer honored for rescuing driver from burning car in Massapequa

MASSAPEQUA, Long Island (WABC) -- A Nassau County Police officer was honored Monday for pulling a driver out of a burning car seconds before it exploded.

The incident happened last month while off-duty officer Ryan Paterson was driving on Hicksville Road in Massapequa.

He stumbled upon a two-car crash and when he got closer, he saw one car's front end engulfed in flames.

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That's when Paterson jumped in to help just as the flames started to spread.

The heroic officer was driving home from a Nassau County pipe band event.

He was still in his kilt when he ran in to help.


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