In an act of undeniable courage, Patrol Deputy Jon Chang was honored for his quick thinking and life-saving actions during a critical incident involving a flaming semi-truck. According to a social media post by the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office, on August 29, Deputy Chang responded to a call about a vehicle fire on I-43 northbound, and what he encountered was a scene of potential devastation. The semi-truck was engulfed in flames, thick black smoke billowing into the air, while tires exploded amidst the heat. Adding to the danger, the flames licked dangerously close to the truck's diesel fuel tanks.
Having arrived at the scene, Deputy Chang immediately checked on the status of the truck driver and learned it was still unclear if the individual had managed to escape. Knowing the fire's threat and with other first responders still minutes away, Deputy Chang advanced toward the inferno. The trapped truck driver inside the cab was spotted by Deputy Chang, who was desperately trying to kick open a jammed door. Taking decisive action, Chang broke the window with his baton, which allowed the driver to scramble through it to safety. As the commendation from Sheriff Knowles stated, "Deputy Chang's immediate, decisive and courageous actions" likely prevented serious injury or death, as per the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office post.
The Mequon Police arrived approximately two minutes following the rescue, and shortly after, the Southern Ozaukee Fire Department reached the scene to extinguish the fire and assess the damage. It was later confirmed that the truck's door had been jammed during the incident, a malfunction that would have otherwise doomed the driver, who was initially asleep and unaware of the fire.
In recognition of his bravery and quick response, Sheriff Knowles presented Deputy Chang with the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Lifesaving Award on October 28. The commendation noted that Chang’s “bravery, composure and commitment to duty exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service.” According to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office post, the events serve as a stark reminder of the perils faced by law enforcement and the profound impact a single individual’s actions can have on the lives of others.
