CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - One of Carmichael’s most popular law officers has received a Medal of Valor from the National Park Rangers Association.

A Ranger for Fulton El Camino Park Police (under contract with several park districts), John Mohamed is a familiar figure. He subdues the unruly; returns lost children; helps the disabled. He even joins dancers when a band is playing. Scores of concert-goers greet him with back-slaps and hi-theres.

Having lived in the Carmichael area all his life, he is part of the community. “I’m in our parks to make people feel safe,” he considers. “I try to solve problems in a respectful manner. I also like people to understand police officers are humans, too.”

Two weeks ago, the officer was recognized for service far beyond concerts and back-slaps. He now suffers respiratory damage resulting from his 2022 rescue of a man from a burning building – then re-entering the building to seek other casualties. But he’s still at work and regards his medal as “recognition not just for me – but for the officers who trained me through my career.”

On patrol in May last year, Mohamed saw a shuttered restaurant solidly ablaze on Madison Avenue. He reported the fire and, noticing a break in site fencing, decided to check for occupants. Inside the main door, he found a male transient. “He ignored my command to evacuate,” recalls Mohamed. “I didn’t have a mask and I was coughing.

“He had something in his hands – I couldn’t see what – but he seemed confused. He retreated further into the building. I told him to drop what he was carrying and raise his hands. For my safety – and not knowing the involvement of the fire – I cuffed him and got him out of the building.

“Then he told me a friend was still in there. He said he needed to go back and get his friend.”

Sheriff patrols had arrived. Mohamed left the transient with a Sergeant and returned to the building. “Heavy smoke made breathing tough and sparks had damaged my glasses,” he explains. “But I had to look for the man’s friend.” By then, the 4000 square-foot building’s roof was fully ablaze, and flames were penetrating inner spaces. In rooms used as transient living quarters, the Ranger struggled to move trash and boxes – checking for occupants.

Mohamed blocked open interior passages and opened an exterior door. “I knew that would feed the fire,” he acknowledges. “But I had to consider my own escape route.”

“Parts of the ceiling were falling. I pressed on, searching. Suddenly, the roof caved in on me. Burning debris blocked my exit. I tried windows, but they were boarded from the outside.

“I tried to keep calm. Somehow, I worked my way around the fire to the door where I’d first entered.

“My chest was heavy; My throat hurt. My first lungful of outside air felt good. I was thankful to have made it out.”

By then, Sac Metro firefighters were at work. They later confirmed no one else remained in the building.

“I was having a hard time breathing and seeing,” recalls Mohamed. “But the fire was dangerously close to my vehicle. It was all I could do to climb in and drive it across the street. Then I opened my door and fell out on the sidewalk. Sac Metro medics found me. I was treated for throat and lung damage at Kaiser Hospital.”

County Supervisor Rich Desmond later nominated the Ranger for National Park Service recognition. His Medal of Valor was awarded last month at Point Reyes National Park, Marin County.

“The honor surprised and humbled me,” he says. “I felt I’d just done my job to the best of my ability. My brother and sister officers – in all agencies – seem proud of me. I’m really grateful there was no loss of life and that no one was left behind.

“I still have what’s called a smoker’s cough. My doctors can’t say if it will go away. It’s a nuisance always having to apologize for coughing, but I can still do my job – and it doesn’t stop me from dancing.”