SDUSD Police Officer Receives National Honor
Officer Flores joined the San Diego Unified School District Police Department in May 1995. After serving five years as a Community Service Officer, Officer Flores put himself through the police academy and was hired as a full-time sworn police officer in January 2000. He spent five years in patrol and then was promoted to Campus Police Officer. He is currently assigned to the San Diego High Educational Complex.
On February 17, 2005, Officer Flores and a Community Service Officer were driving through a neighborhood when they noticed smoke coming from an apartment window. Presuming the apartment was on fire, the officers stopped the car and approached the building. Officer Flores began yelling and knocking on the apartment door in an attempt to warn anyone inside. When no one responded, he took immediate action and entered the smoke-filled apartment. Once inside, he located a disoriented man and saw the silhouette of another person standing in the distance. Officer Flores assisted the disoriented man to safety outside. The rescued man told him that his 18-year-old brother with Down syndrome was also inside. Officer Flores re-entered the apartment and removed the younger brother from the kitchen, now fully engulfed in flames. Officer Flores escorted the younger brother to safety and entered the burning apartment yet a third time to search for additional occupants.
The older brother was treated and released at the scene. The younger brother suffered minor burns to his head and arms and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officer Flores and his partner were both treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
“Officer Flores’ courage clearly demonstrates his unselfish commitment to safeguard lives and his dedication to the citizens he serves”, said San Diego Unified School Chief of Police Don Braun. “As a school police officer, he is a true hero and role model for our youth. There is no doubt Officer Flores’ quick action saved two young lives.”
Officer Flores was the San Diego Police Officers’ Association 2005 Peace Officer of the Year and was also honored by the National Burn Institute and the County of San Diego for his life-saving effort.