Rogers Hero Who Saved Woman From Fire Receives Carnegie Medal

ROGERS -- A local police officer won a heroism award for pulling a woman from a burning home last year.

"I feel good that people out there, they recognize when you do something -- even when it's part of your job," Officer Waseng Xiong said Wednesday.

Xiong, 32, of Rogers, was awarded the Carnegie Medal by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, according to a news release. Xiong is among 22 people nationwide and in Canada to receive the award.

The medal is awarded to people who risk their lives "to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others," according to the release.

"It just shows that there are people in a fast pace society who will risk their own lives for the betterment of society -- even for those whom they don't know," said Walter Rutkowski, commission president.

The fund was established 110 years ago by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie with the goal of recognizing people who perform heroic acts and to provide financial assistance to those disabled and the dependents of those killed while helping others, according to the group's website. The fund has awarded about $36.2 million in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance.

Each of the awardees or their survivors will receive a financial grant of $5,000, Rutkowski said.

Xiong was recognized for his heroism at a fire that broke out at 11:30 a.m. March 7, 2013, at 1924 S. 17th Place in Rogers. Betty Edwards, then 76, was trapped in the mobile home when Xiong arrived. The fire, which started from cigarettes on the porch, had engulfed the porch and blocked the doorway.

When Xiong heard Edwards was inside, he tried to break through a back door but failed, according to the news release. He then went to a nearby sliding door, broke the glass and used a chair to get over the glass.

Xiong shouted for Edwards, who called back to him. He found her in the kitchen. Xiong lay Edwards on her back, then pulled her across the floor as he crawled back to the door.

Another officer took Edwards from the home and moved her to safety, according to the release. Xiong then got out of the burning home.

The fire was small, and firefighters put it out in a few minutes, said Fire Chief Tom Jenkins. The home had about $20,000 in damage, he said, but many of the family's belongings were saved.

Edwards was taken to Mercy Hospital, Jenkins.

Xiong had a laceration on his leg and received medical attention, according to the news release. He recovered and is still on the police force, where he has worked for nearly three years.

The burned home was replaced, Xiong said. He hasn't seen Edwards since the fire.

A contact for Edwards couldn't be found Wednesday. A phone number listed under her name was disconnected.

Xiong said he was honored to receive the medal. He likes the feeling of helping Rogers residents, he said.

"I'm thankful to be a Rogers police officer and humbled to be recognized by the people of Rogers and the Carnegie Fund," Xiong said.

Capt. Hayes Minor said Xiong's recognition is an honor for him and the city.

"His commanders and supervisors at the (Police) Department are extremely proud of the actions he took that day to save another human being," Minor said. "Officer Xiong is a great example of the men and women employed by the Rogers Police Department."