Casey and Murphy's heroism during the Upper Campus blaze last March 24 has been recognized by the Irish American Police Officers Association, which presented the two officers with a Life Saving Award at its annual dinner earlier this month.
The association praised Casey and Murphy for their quick response at the scene. Despite intense heat and thick smoke, the two led fellow officers into the residence hall to alert students who had not yet realized the danger. Their actions helped ensure the safe rescue of all the building's residents.
Only after the students were safe and provided with medical attention, the association noted, did Casey and Murphy accept care for themselves. The two officers were briefly hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
"If it were not for [their] quick actions and assessment of the situation facing them, young lives would have been lost," the award citation read.
-Sean Smith