New London — Police Lt. Cornelius Rodgers says that police officers are simply “average people who sometimes do above average things.”

Those “above average things” have earned Rodgers and fellow officer Seth Bolduc statewide honors this year as recipients of Connecticut Police Chiefs Association’s prestigious 2024 Medal of Valor Award.

Rodgers is being honored for his off-duty act of heroism to help pull a father and daughter to safety following a fiery crash involving an oil tanker on Interstate 95 that set ablaze hundreds of gallons of oil that had spilled onto the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.

Bolduc will receive the award for his decisive actions that helped save the life of a suicidal 17-year-old who had stabbed himself in the neck last year and might have bled to death.

The awards are to be handed out during Sept. 19 presentation at a Connecticut Police Chiefs Association meeting.

In his typical humble manner, Rodgers said any good cop would have acted in the same manner he did. He cited a recent example of New London Police Officer Eric Sadowski, who was off duty when stopped to pull a man from an overturned vehicle in Stonington.

“Whether we’re wearing a uniform or not wearing a uniform, we still act the same way,” Rodgers said. “I got into this job because I wanted to help people.”

Rodgers was driving home from a gym in Groton on the morning of April 21, 2023, when he spotted the burning wreckage of the overturned oil tanker. The passenger from a car involved in the crash was being helped bystanders, including Brandon Bylo of Groton. Rodgers pulled the trapped driver from the car even as burning oil crept closer to the vehicles.

The act was captured on video but Rodgers said police officers nationwide perform acts of heroism that in many cases are not as well publicized.

Such was the case of Bolduc, a K9 officer at the department who had responded to a 911 call on Aug. 14, 2023, for reports of a juvenile with a knife. In the bathroom of the New London residence, Bolduc found a 17-year-old laying on the floor bleeding from an stab wound to the neck.

The teen had attempted suicide and despite a struggle with the victim, Bolduc — who is also a competitive weightlifter — persisted and used a towel to apply pressure to the wound to prevent further bleeding until emergency medical personnel arrived.

In a day and age when police are under increased scrutiny, Police Chief Brian Wright said it’s fair for police to be held accountable when they do something wrong but equally important to highlight good deeds.

Wright nominated Bolduc and Rodgers for the award, saying both officers exemplified bravery, selflessness, courage and dedication.

“In both instances their efforts reflect the commitment to public safety,” Wright said.

The officers, he said, did what they did not for accolades but “because it’s the right thing to do.”

Rodgers said he drives by the scene of last year’s crash regularly and still thinks about the fact that someone lost their life. The driver of the oil tanker _ 42-year-old Wallace Fauquet III of Gales Ferry _ died at the scene. His truck was engulfed in flames by the time Rodgers showed up at the scene.

“It does bring back memories that are tough to deal with,” Rodgers said. “I wish I could have done more. It’s a burden I carry with me every day.”

g.smith@theday.com