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Peers of Warren officer hurt in arson laud his ‘compassion’ at prayer vigil
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City of Warren Fire investigators and investigators for the state fire marshal remove items as they investigate a early morning blaze that injured a Warren Policeman and three residents. State Fire Marshal investigators have ruled arson as the cause of this morning’s fire at a group home on Bonnie Brae Avenue.
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‘It’s just a waiting game,’ Hipple’s brother said of whether the officer will live.
Staff Report
WARREN — Patrolman Doug Hipple showed a “heart of compassion” when he selflessly entered a burning building to help three women.
That act of heroism, that instinct to help someone in need, could end up costing him his life.
“We all have that heart of compassion,” Patrolman Tim Brown said to the gathering for a prayer service Thursday in Warren City Council chambers, pointing to times when they helped a child who has fallen off of a bicycle or an adult who comes up a dime short in line at the store.
“When he got in there, things got out of control,” Brown said of the house at 368 Bonnie Brae Avenue Northeast, where an arson broke out at about 3:20 a.m. Tuesday. “As a result, there were injuries.”
Officials say Hipple tried to lead the women to safety, but by the time the four reached the ground floor, the home was full of smoke and heat, and Hipple was unable to find a way out.
All four were found unconscious on the second floor and rescued by firefighters about 15 minutes later. All are in critical condition in Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Center.
“Today, we are coming to petition you, Lord, that you come to Doug’s side and the other people who need you,” Brown said.
Brown said Hipple has the “best possible medical care,” but said, “We also need your help because medicine can only do so much. We pour our hearts to the Lord for Doug. We’re praying that God will give them the extra that they need. There isn’t anything hard for the Lord.”
Brown noted that the Rev. Charles Crumbley, pastor at St. James Catholic Church in Warren, who is the police department chaplain, went to the hospital and prayed over Doug.
Hipple’s older brother, Dave Hipple, attended the gathering, along with dozens of police officers, city officials and friends. It was organized by Hipple’s fellow police officers.
Dave Hipple said doctors aren’t discussing the officer’s progress at this point. “It’s just a waiting game,” he said.
Dave Hipple said the thoughts expressed at the gathering by Brown and Father Crumbley “gives us the hope to reinforce that we will get through this, one way or another.”