BEND, OR -- A Bend firefighter has received state recognition for his heroic action. 

Jared Hopper was off duty when he saw smoke coming from a Crook County house in May of 2021. A neighbor told him a woman was trapped inside. Officials say Hopper went into the smoke-filled house, lifted the woman from her bed to her wheelchair and got her out safely. They say because of his actions, the woman did not suffer any smoke-related or other injuries. Crook County firefighters arrived shortly after the rescue and extinguished the fire, which was isolated to the garage.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Award from the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association at a recent ceremony. "We are very proud of firefighter Hopper's quick actions that may have saved this women's life," Fire Chief Todd Riley said in a statement. "This Distinguished Conduct Award is well deserved.