An award for going above and beyond the call of duty was presented to Vicksburg police officer Jason Daniels by Chief Tracy McMillan of the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority. “This is a day as chief you often dread, when a fire call comes and you can’t get there fast enough to help.” Daniels was first on the scene at a 3 a.m. fire at 5582 East Y Avenue on April 20, where two people were trapped inside. He found heavy flames and smoke as he approached the structure’s front door. He could hear and talk to the people inside, trapped behind a seldom-used door with boxes piled high. Daniels kicked open the door, removed a dog, then helped the people out of the burning building, taking them to his patrol car until an ambulance arrived. “Officer Daniels, I commend you for your lifesaving efforts. You made a difference in the lives of people you did not know and set an example for all of us to follow,” McMillan said.