Two deputies to be lauded for saving lives in deadly fire

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office will present two Bowie County deputies with life-saving awards Friday in honor of their actions during a house fire that claimed the life of a local man in early March, the chief deputy said.

BCSO Chief Deputy Jeff Neal said the event will be held at 10 a.m. Friday on the third floor of Bi-State Justice Building at the sheriff’s office to honor Deputies Kenny McMillen and Michelle Carrier. According to Sheriff James Prince, the public is welcome to attend.

An earlier Gazette report states that Carrier was the first deputy on the scene of an early morning house fire March 9 at a brick home on Trexler Road in Redwater, Texas. Prince said Carrier found Dewey Melton, 68, dead near the house’s front door after kicking the door in.

The report further states that McMillen arrived just moments later and he and Carrier were told by Melton’s son, who lived next door, that Melton’s wife, Loy Helen, was still inside the burning house.

Prince said despite a great deal of smoke, McMillen went inside the home several times trying to find Loy Helen Melton and McMillen “carried a light down low to the floor while crawling and found Mrs. Melton on the floor.”

Loy Helen Melton, McMillen, Carrier and the Meltons’ son were all taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation.

Prince said he is extremely proud of McMillen and Carrier for their actions that morning and that neither deputy was wearing protective gear when they went inside the burning home.

“When they arrived the house was on fire, and they went inside and got Mrs. Melton out,” Prince said. “They did what they had to do in order to save someone’s life. I’m glad no one else got hurt. … They are true heroes.”