The thought of climbing into a burning vehicle to rescue someone is absolutely terrifying.
Two Jefferson City police officers who did exactly that more than a year ago were honored Thursday with the state's highest public safety award - the Missouri Medal of Valor.
Comments they made at the ceremony offer insights about their response at the scene.
"When I showed up," said officer Brad King, "it was all reactionary as to what I was seeing and what I thought needed to be done." King has since moved to Washington County, Oregon, where he is employed with the sheriff's department.
"I knew we had to do something," said officer Jason Sederwall, who was second on the scene. He added: "I guess the training just kicked in."
The two officers were among 10 honored by Gov. Jay Nixon at the ceremony.
Also attending the ceremony was Katherine O'Neal, the accident victim left pinned in the wreckage of her burning vehicle after the accident.
The responding officers emptied fire extinguishers onto the flames, then climbed into the rear and passenger seats to prevent the flames from spreading until firefighters arrived.
O'Neal, now 29, suffered third-degree burns, a collapsed lung and a number of broken bones.
After Thursday's ceremony, she credited the officers with saving her life. "Had it not been for their quick thinking and willingness to put their full force forward, I wouldn't be here," she said.
The governor extended that credit to all the honorees. "We are honoring those who carried out acts of extraordinary valor last year," Nixon said. "In each of these instances, law enforcement officers receiving this commendation clearly put their own lives at risk - at extreme risk, quite frankly - on behalf of their fellow Missourians."
Hosting the award ceremony during this season of gift giving is altogether fitting.
Life-saving acts of valor - courage despite danger - are extraordinary gifts.