Sparta police praise humble detective for saving elderly, disabled woman from apt. fire

He was the first on the scene for a fire in Sparta and one of the last on the force that would seek attention.

The Sparta Police Department, however, sought it for Detective Jose Tovar, who saved a elderly disabled woman’s life Sunday morning during an apartment fire.

“Anyone familiar with Detective Tovar, knows he is not one to seek out attention,” the Sparta Police wrote on Facebook. “However, if not for his quick thinking and courageous actions, the woman would have suffered severe injuries or worse. And we couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Sunday, Tovar volunteered to cover a patrol shift. He just happened to be the first on scene for an apartment fire at 422 S. Thayer Avenue in Sparta.

Tovar reportedly fought through thick, black smoke, unable to see the woman calling for help.

Tovar used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, then followed the woman’s voice into a room, where she had been just a few feet from the flames.

Tovar dragged her out of the apartment and notified other residents they needed to leave the building.

Just some smoke inhalation for Tovar, while the woman he saved was treated for minor injuries.