PURCELLVILLE, Va. October 2, 2020 — The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to recognize Officer David Camp who received a Bronze Medal of Honor at the Loudoun Chamber’s 2020 Annual Valor Awards held today at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Virginia. Officer Camp was honored with the Bronze Medal for his heroic and selfless actions during an incident in June 2019. Officer Camp was dispatched for a domestic violence incident where an adult male was reported to be armed with a knife, extremely angry, and was threatening to hurt his family and himself. However, while in route to the call, the situation quickly escalated and dispatch relayed information that the subject had two gas cans and was pouring gasoline through the entire residence, as well as all over himself. Officer Camp quickly responded to the scene, ensured all the family members were safely out of the house, and with the smell of gasoline permeating the premise, began to search for the armed subject. After attempting to enter the home to locate the subject, Officer Camp heard a loud explosion and screaming, and saw an individual complete engulfed in flames running from the side of the house.
Without hesitation, Officer Camp radioed for medical assistance and ran to put out the fire that covered the subject from head to toe. Without regard for his own safety, Officer Camp quickly began to put the fire out with his own bare hands. He then grabbed a shirt from a member of the suspect’s’ family, and quickly continued to extinguish the flames using the shirt. Officer Camp was then assisted by off-duty Purcellville Volunteer Firefighter John Carney, who grabbed a garden hose and continuously sprayed the individual with water even after the fire was out; enabling his airway to remain open and cooling his body, which allowed him the chance for survival, despite his extensive burns. The heroic actions taken by Officer Camp and Firefighter Carney kept the individual’s airway open and kept him alive until he could receive proper medical treatment. The individual had sustained burns to over 95% of his body, but after months in the hospital was able to make a miraculous recovery.
Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister had the honor of presenting Officer David Camp with his Bronze Medal of Valor at the ceremony. “I am so proud of Officer Camp and all of the fellow first responders and citizens honored today for their courageous and selfless acts. Those who serve in a public safety profession do so out of a desire to help others, regardless of the situation it puts them in. Officer Camp’s heroic actions are a true example of his character; he is someone who is willing to protect the life of complete strangers, even if he puts himself in harm’s way. While he will be the first to tell you he was “just doing his job,” and not want any accolades, this ceremony gives us a chance to recognize those who went above and beyond their normal duties. I am honored to have Officer Camp as a member of the Purcellville Police Department, and for us to be a part of such a strong community of public servants here in Loudoun County,” said Chief McAlister.
The Loudoun County Valor Awards program awards were established by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the local public safety agencies, to recognize and acknowledge members of the various public safety departments, as well as everyday citizens, who have placed themselves in harm's way over the past year to ensure the safety of others.
A total of 17 courageous citizens and 92 heroic first responders from the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, and the Town of Leesburg Police Department, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection were also recognized at the event.
