COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A Midlands deputy police chief has been honored with a prestigious award after saving a driver from a burning vehicle.

Columbia Police Department Deputy Police Chief Melron Kelly was honored with the 2025 Life-Saving award after rescuing an elderly man from a burning car following a serious crash on Sept. 15.

CPD said Kelly witnessed the crash at the intersection of Main Street and Sunset Drive and then saw that one of the cars involved was on fire. With help from another person, the department said Kelly was able to pull the driver out of the car seconds before the fire intensified.

The Columbia Police Department said in a statement on Facebook that his actions “reflect great credit upon himself and CPD.”

“D.C. Kelly’s bravery, composure under pressure and unwav

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