Sullivan’s Island officer recognized by town after pulling injured woman from burning car

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) — Sullivan’s Island Town councilmembers recognized one police officer’s heroic efforts at a meeting Tuesday night.

Sullivan Island’s police officer Tyler Mahon pulled a woman out of her burning car in March and Tuesday night he was honored with a lifesaving medal for extraordinary heroism.

“In the moment when something happens, you don’t realize the impact you are going to have on someone’s life or all those people’s lives,” said Mahon.

Officer Mahon was driving home from work when he saw an accident on Highway 17 where one of the cars was on fire. Mahon jumped into action and discovered a woman was trapped inside.

He put out the flames and pulled the injured woman out of the car. He then waited with her until paramedics arrived to treat her.
 
“He was operating his assigned police unit he was going home he lives in Mount Pleasant, and he happened upon this collision he did what he was supposed to do he took decisive action to protect the scene and then realized the vehicle was on fire and someone was trapped inside,” said Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows.
 
Tuesday night, Mahon was recognized by his superiors at the police department – town council – and the community for going above and beyond the call of duty. His parents flew into town to surprise him at the meeting.

“We do have a very small tight nit community for them to then acknowledge the work we do out here on the island it makes us want to work harder and do better every day,” said Mahon.
 
This was not the first life Mahon saved. Back in July 2023, Mahon saved a suicidal person’s life.

“For me, it’s one of those things where I’ll always look back on things like this as high pinnacles within a career within a job set where you’re at the peak performance whether it’s on duty or off duty,” said Mahon.