Medal of Bravery - Officer Justin Lancaster
Officer Justin Lancaster was presented with the Medal of Bravery at the Jackson Town Council meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2020.
This commendation is bestowed upon a Jackson Police Officer by the Chief of Police when an extraordinary act of bravery occurs.
In the late-night hours of November 18, 2019, emergency services were notified of a structure fire at the Rusty Parrot Lodge.
Officer Lancaster arrived at the scene ahead of fire and rescue crews, observed that one wall was completely engulfed in flames and notified Dispatch that he would proceed with evacuation measures.
Officer Lancaster obtained a guest list for the hotel and systematically began evacuating guests from the first two floors.
When Officer Lancaster reached the third floor, which was rapidly being consumed with fire and filled with thick smoke, he disregarded his personal safety and crawled through the smoke to the last room on the list which was directly next to the fire.
Officer Lancaster found the last guest asleep in his room. This guest would have surely perished in the fire if Officer Lancaster had not found him and successfully guided him from the building.
This exceptional act of courage is evidence of bravery, by showing both mental and moral fortitude in the face danger and injury, plus the selflessness by putting the safety of others above his own.
Officer Lancaster, thank you for all that you for your continued dedication to protecting the health, safety and welfare of residents and guests of our community.
Justin Lancaster took his Oath of Office on January 22, 2018, to obey and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Wyoming, to perform the duties of a Police Officer, and to uphold the values of our community and the Jackson Police Department.