麻豆传媒

A UB police lieutenant and former university police officer have received an award from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for their heroics that saved the life of a woman on campus.

Lt. Catherine Guzman and former UB officer Jay Lawrence were recognized by the state agency with its Lifesaving Award during a ceremony on July 17 in the Buffalo Room in Capen Hall on the North Campus.

The award, which recognizes officers who perform “courageous and unselfish acts that result in the saving of a human life or lives,” stems from an incident in 2021 when a despondent woman barricaded herself in her car, doused herself with gasoline and tried to set herself on fire.

The 2021 award was formally presented this year after COVID-related delays, according to the agency.

“Lt. Guzman and Officer Lawrence prevented the loss of a family member, loved one, community member and a fellow New Yorker in despair,” said Rossana Rosada, commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services. “I am proud to honor these individuals for their extremely brave, lifesaving actions in the face of grave danger to themselves. On behalf of all New Yorkers, we thank them for their public service.”

The incident took place during the early morning hours of Feb. 11, 2021, when Guzman, then an officer, and Lawrence, now with the Lancaster Police Department, checked on a vehicle running in Governors Lot on the North Campus and found a woman asleep in the back seat.

Guzman woke the woman, who opened the window slightly but kept the doors locked. Both officers noticed a strong odor of gasoline coming from inside the vehicle and spotted a lighter, lighter fluid and what appeared to be a bucket of gasoline.

The woman scrambled into the driver’s seat in attempt to shift the vehicle into drive, but accidentally unlocked the doors, allowing Guzman and Lawrence inside. As Guzman grabbed for the keys, the woman doused herself with the bucket of gasoline and attempted to light herself on fire.

Guzman, whose own clothing was now soaked with gasoline, clasped the woman’s hands to keep her from sparking the lighter, as Lawrence pulled the woman from the vehicle and wrestled the lighter away.

The two officers kept the woman restrained until an ambulance arrived at the scene. The woman was treated at a local hospital and later returned home to the care of her family.

Guzman and Lawrence were previously recognized for their actions that night when they were awarded the 2021 SUNY Police Chiefs Heroism Award.

“Every day, our officers step into the unknown, driven by a deep commitment to protect and serve,” said UB Police Chief Kimberly Beaty. “They respond without hesitation, often risking their own lives to save people they’ve never met.

“Their courage, compassion and unwavering dedication are the quiet heroics that too often go unseen — but they make all the difference,” Beaty said. “I could not be more proud of the incredible work our law enforcement officers do to safeguard our community.”