Coast Guard Honors Miss. Firefighter for Saving Life

GULFPORT, Miss. -- The U.S. Coast Guard will honor a Gulfport firefighter today for an act of valor that saved a state port worker who fell 20 feet off a pier and into 48-degree water.

The man was hypothermic and unresponsive, and high waves were pushing him under the pier when Lt. Lawrence "Tot" Burkhalter and a fire and rescue crew arrived at West Pier 7 on Dec. 10, 2010.

Burkhalter, a 23-year firefighter, realized there was only one way to save the man. He jumped in -- without a cold-water protective suit -- and held the man's head above water as a Coast Guard vessel headed toward them.

"I didn't even notice how cold it was until it was over and I got out of the water," Burkhalter said Thursday.

He is credited with saving the life of Roy Lang, a maintenance worker who fell off the south end of the pier in the deep draft of the harbor.

The Coast Guard will present him a certificate of valor in a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Central Fire Station on 23rd Avenue.

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Ponte, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Gulfport, said the award recognizes actions in keeping with the highest traditions of humanitarian service.

"Lt. Burkhalter's actions are a reflection of some of the many civilians throughout Coast Guard history who exemplified astonishing devotion to duty and valor," Ponte said.

After Lang fell in the water, his coworkers threw extension cords and pieces of rope to him, but Lang kept losing his grip.

"They were doing all they could to save him," Burkhalter said.

Burkhalter was the senior officer among the first-responders. He could have asked another firefighter to jump in.

"I'm not going to ask anybody to do something I'm not willing to do myself," he said.

Burkhalter remembers grabbing hold of Lang and trying to keep them afloat until a Coast Guard boat arrived minutes later.

"I could see his eyes were trying to focus, but he was drifting off," Burkhalter said.

Waves battered the men as Burkhalter made two attempts to position Lang in a rescue basket. On the third try, Lang was secured and Burkhalter lifted him onto the rescue boat.

Fire Chief Mike Beyerstedt said he is pleased to see Burkhalter honored.

"I get the privilege of working every day with the great people in my department, and when they are recognized by an outside agency like this, others see how good these guys are," Beyerstedt said. "He is a dedicated firefighter, but awards are not why he comes to work every day."

Burkhalter also works part-time as a firefighter for the Success Fire Station in Saucier. He works under Harrison County Fire Marshal Pat Sullivan, the former Gulfport fire chief and his former boss.

Sullivan described Burkhalter as an outstanding firefighter and the type of leader less experienced firefighters should follow.

"He is well-trained, well-educated and has proven his ability to make good decisions in extreme situations," Sullivan said. "He is not going to put himself or anyone else in danger if the situation doesn't warrant it 100 percent."

Burkhalter has had other brushes with danger during his career.

In 2000, he received second-degree burns over 8 percent of his body, and a co-worker had more serious burns from fighting a fire that destroyed Ladner's Bootery on U.S. 49.

Officials later learned their uniforms had a defect that failed to give maximum protection. The city bought them new uniforms.

Burkhalter and his wife have two children, ages 24 and 21, and a 3-year-old granddaughter he calls "my pride and joy."

"I'm really proud the Coast Guard thinks enough of me to give me this award," he said.

Copyright 2012 - The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service