Driver: Dallas Officer 'Deserves A Medal'
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A Dallas Police Officer is being called a hero, after rescuing a man from his burning car.
Blake Mackey, 23, said he was driving his father's 1969 Cadillac on the Dallas North Tollway Wednesday night when the vehicle suddenly stalled in the center lane of traffic. Before Blake could move the vehicle, he was rear-ended. The impact forced the Cadillac into the center median wall, and it caught fire.
Dallas Police Officer William Shumpert, 59, happened to be driving by.
"They said the cop broke the window and pulled me out, which I had no idea happened," Mackey said.
Mackey does not recall many details of the accident. He said he may have hit his head on the steering wheel, but he does vaguely remember seeing Officer Shumbert and sitting in the ambulance.
"All of the sudden I'm in the ambulance and I'm looking out and I'm like, oh no, my dad's new car is burning up," he said.
Mackey said he is grateful to the officer who rushed to his aid, and is shocked he only suffered cuts and bruises.
"When someone basically saves your life, there's not many words that can convey how important that is. But, I guess I would say thank you very much," he said.
CBS 11 requested an interview with Officer Shumbert, but he declined. A spokesperson with the Dallas Police Department said Shumbert felt he was doing his job and does not want to be put in the spotlight. The department will most likely honor Shumbert with an award.
"In my book, he deserves a medal," said Rex Mackey, Blake's father.
Rex also said he hates to think what would have happened to his son, had Officer Shumbert not been in the right place at the right time.
"[Blake] would have burned up in the car because he was unconscious," Rex said. "He's so lucky, I'm gonna make him buy a lottery ticket."
Although he is lucky to be alive, Blake Mackey will face charges for possession of a controlled substance, according to a spokesperson with the Department of Public Safety. Troopers found drugs in Mackey's car.
