Sergeant who pulled driver from burning car honored

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

Metro Police Sgt. Ruben Hood insists, "I'm not a hero."

But Hood's actions in the predawn hours of July 1 -- when he fought back flames from a vehicle to pull out an apparently intoxicated and suicidal man -- has led to a recommendation for the Medal of Honor, the department's second highest heroism award.

During the rescue, Hood was punched in the face and kicked as he pulled the 29-year-old Arizona driver from the burning vehicle. And the victim, who might wind up getting psychiatric counseling instead of a jail sentence, has yet to say thank you to Hood, police say.

Hood, a 35-year-old, 10-year veteran of the department, has received three prior medals for heroism -- two for meritorious service and another for exemplary service.

The first Meritorious Service Medal was awarded for securing the safety of witnesses in the March 4, 1999, Super Pawn robbery and hostage situation on Las Vegas Boulevard North, which ended with the safe release of the hostages and the arrest of the suspects.

The other Meritorious Service Medal was awarded in 2003 after Hood and other officers on New Year's Eve confronted a man who held a knife to the throat of a 7-year-old boy in front of the Frontier hotel. The man eventually released the child unharmed and was arrested.

Hood received the Exemplary Service Medal in 1999 for talking a suicidal person out of jumping off of a structure.

"I won't apply the term hero to myself in any situation," Hood said. "I've been shot at and stabbed, just like many other cops. But that is just part of what comes with this job. I'm not a hero."

His superiors take a slightly different view of Hood's unselfish actions.

"Sgt. Hood is an exemplary, stellar employee in our department," said Lt. Brian Greenway, who recommended Hood for the award that recognizes a distinctive act that saves a life. The department's Medal of Honor is second only to the Medal of Valor, which is for an extraordinary act of heroism.

Greenway said Hood debriefed him shortly after the rescue, but apparently skimmed over the details that would have highlighted his heroics.

"Sgt. Hood is not the type of person (to blow his own horn)," Greenway said, noting that the extent of the rescue became apparent last Friday after he received a video surveillance tape from the Fremont Street Experience that showed just how much Hood put his own life at risk to save the victim.

"Officers risk their lives every day, but we don't always get them on videotape doing it," Greenway said.

Greenway also has recommended Metro dispatcher Ronnette Williams for the Exemplary Service Award for a singular act of achievement with no risk to herself. Greenway credited her with taking it on her own to alert Hood after she had fulfilled her duty by dispatching the fire department to the scene.

Greenway also has recommended Fremont Street Experience Security Officer Billy Ward for the Certificate of Appreciation for bravery in the assistance of a police officer. Ward is seen on the surveillance video assisting Hood in dragging the victim clear of the burning vehicle at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard after Hood rescued the man.

The videotape shows Hood leaving his patrol car and approaching the burning vehicle. He tries to smash the driver's side window with his night stick then, realizing the front door is unlocked, opens it.

"He (the driver) said 'leave me alone,' " Hood said. "The first thing I thought was that he was suicidal. I reached to grab him, and he hit me, then slid toward the passenger door. I then reached for his shirt and his belt and -- for the lack of a better word -- ripped him out of the car."

Hood, who served as a Las Vegas corrections officer from 1992 to 1995 before graduating from Metro's Police Academy in 1995, served five years on patrol and 4 1/2 years as a detective in property crimes before being promoted to sergeant 10 months ago.