LEXINGTON, Ky. — When Corporal Dalton Black saw smoke billowing from a neighbor’s home on the afternoon of March 12, 2024, he didn’t hesitate to rush inside.
A two-year veteran of Lexington Community Corrections, Black immediately called the fire department and took action — risking his own safety to ensure his neighbor made it out alive, the Lexington Community Corrections told Corrections1.
Black knocked on the door but received no response. Knowing the homeowner was likely inside, he pushed forward, stepping into thick smoke that filled the residence. Amid the low visibility, he quickly located the resident and guided them to safety.
While Lexington firefighters arrived to battle the flames, Black wasn’t done. One of the homeowner’s dogs had run off in the chaos, and Black took the time to track the pet down and reunite it with its owner.
The Lexington Division of Community Corrections praised Black’s quick thinking and selflessness, noting that his training as a corrections officer played a role in his ability to assess the situation and take decisive action.
“These skills that we help develop are just as valuable in the community as they are within the walls of our facility,” the department said in a statement.
In May 2024, Black was presented with the department’s Valor Award.
