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Recognize Lifesaver Award Recipients
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Niland, County Manager’s Office, Deputy County Manager, 704-283-3630
ACTION REQUESTED:
Recognize Union County Sheriff's Office deputies Jason Frazier and Paul Garcia for heroic actions to rescue a resident from a burning home.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Two Union County Sheriff's Office deputies have been recognized with Union County's Lifesaver Award after rescuing a resident from a burning home during an early morning fire.
On Sunday, April 5, 2026, at approximately 3 a.m., Deputies Paul Garcia and Jason Frazier responded to a reported structure fire on Secrest Shortcut Road in Indian Trail. Deputies Garcia and Frazier arrived nearly simultaneously, before firefighters, and a large portion of the home was engulfed in flames. As they ran toward the home, they heard a woman screaming for help from a window on the opposite side. Without hesitation, Deputies Garcia and Frazier broke the window and created an opening large enough to safely remove the woman from the burning home. They then placed her in a patrol vehicle and remained with her until emergency medical personnel arrived. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since recovered. Tragically, a second person was found inside the home and did not survive the fire. County leaders said the deputies' swift actions undoubtedly saved the woman's life.
County Management and Sheriff's Office leadership surprised the deputies with the Lifesaver Award on June 23. The award recognizes County employees whose actions directly contribute to saving a life.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.