Once A Hero, Always A Hero: Retired Cop Saves Man From Drive-Thru Fire.

He may have retired from the police force, but Curtis McLaughin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has never stopped being a true hero.

Curtis was sitting in the passenger seat of a car in the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru when he saw smoke pouring out of the hood of the truck in front of him. Without thinking twice, Curtis leapt from the vehicle and ran to help the elderly driver get out.

Inside the restaurant, panicked employees saw Curtis pull out the stunned driver, John Price, mere seconds before the front of the truck exploded into flames.

“All of a sudden, the smoke turned into fire,” Curtis recalled. “He was struggling to get out, and I went and helped him get out of the car, and as soon as that, the car…the engine just pretty much engulfed in flames.”

When Chick-Fil-A owner David Chen reviewed the restaurant’s security footage, he saw the full extent of Curtis’ heroic actions that day. Not only did Curtis pull John from the truck with seconds to spare, but he also helped direct frightened customers and staff members once firefighters and police arrived on the scene. Hoping to thank Curtis in person, he put out a call for help on social media to locate the good Samaritan.

“Not all heroes wear capes…let’s see if we can find this hero to say thank you!” he wrote on TikTok.

After Curtis was found, David invited him to come to Chick-Fil-A for a meal with the man he saved. They all celebrated Curtis being in the right place at the right time to save at least one life! John and his family are incredibly grateful that Curtis was so quick to help, and Curtis says he is just pleased no one was hurt.

“As far as he is safe, that’s all that matters,” said Curtis. “People can’t be replaced, property can be.”

Once a first responder, always a first responder! Curtis still has those cop instincts, and we’re so glad he happened to be in that drive-thru that day to put them to good use.

Share this story to thank Curtis for helping this stranger to safety!