On the evening of March 14, 2012, officers were dispatched to a vehicle crash involving an overturned vehicle.  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) personnel were simultaneously dispatched to the remote location, a few miles south of South Dixie Highway on Card Sound Road.  While responding in emergency mode, Officer Harry Burkli rear-ended the fire truck in front of him, causing severe damage to both the marked police vehicle and the fire truck.  As a result of the impact, Officer Burkli’s vehicle caught on fire, and he was pinned unconscious in the driver’s side.  More importantly, Officer Burkli had suffered life-threatening injuries that required immediate medical attention. 

While travelling from a distance behind Officer Burkli, Officer Rodriguez witnessed the crash and stopped behind Officer Burkli’s vehicle.  Without any hesitation and despite the personal risk, Officer Rodriguez ran to Officer Burkli’s aide.  Officer Rodriguez pried the jammed vehicle door open and carried Officer Burkli out of the police vehicle to safety.  At the same time, the crew of Fire Rescue 16 exited the truck and proceeded to extinguish the fire that was rapidly consuming Officer Burkli’s vehicle.  Once the fire was out, MDFR Lieutenant Wilfredo Serrano and Fire Fighter Medics Humberto Aubi and Robert Pepper refocused their efforts on giving Officer Burkli lifesaving support in order to stabilize and prepare him for Air Rescue to airlift him to the Jackson Memorial Hospital Trauma Center. 

During the rescue efforts, Officers Rodriguez, Darryl Grubbs, Angela Kearney, Cynthia Mead, and Kevin Mulvey assisted the Fire Rescue crew in preparing Officer Burkli for transport.  The assistance of these officers was instrumental in stabilizing Officer Burkli, who needed to have his police equipment removed from his person, was in shock, and was becoming combative.  Moreover, their assistance in holding the necessary equipment allowed for MDFR personnel to perform the necessary rescue techniques on Officer Burkli.

It is important to note that the MDFR crew involved in the crash also sustained multiple injuries and were later transported for additional treatment.  Even though they were in pain, they never stopped caring for Officer Burkli nor wavered in their concern for him.  

Had it not been for the courageous acts of all of the officers and MDFR personnel involved in Officers Burkli’s rescue, the outcome could have resulted in a completely different turn of events.  Their quick thinking and subsequent deeds displayed heroes in action who were neither concerned for their injuries nor their surrounding dangers.  Without question, the outstanding bravery, teamwork, and professionalism displayed by all saved Officer Burkli’s life. They are a credit to their individual departments and the citizens of Miami-Dade County.