Southlake officer rescues driver from burning car on 114

A Southlake police corporal rescued a driver from a burning car on a Texas highway last month, an act of heroism captured on body camera footage that was released publicly in July. Corporal Joshua Swisher was recognized by his department with its Meritorious Conduct Award for his actions during the incident, which occurred on June 7, 2026, along State Highway 114.

The rescue unfolded while Swisher was conducting a separate traffic stop. He noticed a Nissan passing by with smoke billowing from it, an observation that coincided with a dispatch alert about a vehicle on fire. Swisher directed the smoking car to the shoulder, but as he approached, flames erupted from beneath it. Dash camera and body camera video shows Swisher running to the vehicle as the fire intensified.

Upon reaching the car, Swisher found the driver trapped inside, with the interior filling with smoke. He first attempted to open the driver's door, but the exterior handle broke off in his hand. Swisher then broke the driver's side window, reached inside, and pulled the man to safety, guiding him away from the vehicle just before it became fully engulfed in flames. The entire rescue took less than 30 seconds. The...