When a Columbiana man called 911 for a kitchen fire this past July, it was officers Mary Kloss and John Amann who showed up first to the scene. They arrived to find the caller out front who confirmed his wife, who was in a wheelchair, was trapped inside. Smoke already filled the home from floor to ceiling and was pouring out the front door.

Officer Amann recalls how there was a major car accident that day which had called the fire department to the opposite end of their large jurisdiction.  

"I know how dangerous smoke inhalation can be and I have seen countless videos of first responders entering burning homes to save individuals, only to end up seriously injured from smoke inhalation," says Amann, "I know that Officer Kloss was also keenly aware of that danger."

Yet, this did not keep Kloss from entering the home. Amann shared with pride how his fellow officer did not hesitate to risk the smoke as she entered the home to look for the woman. With honesty, he tells us he doesn't think he would have done the same had Kloss not been present.

"It was all Mary," Amann says, explaining how he stood watch outside, knowing it would be no good for them both to succumb to the smoke and he might need to rescue Kloss.

But despite the fact the woman was not answering their calls, Kloss was able to quickly locate her and shout for Amann to come and help. Together, they were able to assist the woman to safety.

Firemen and EMS said they believed, due to her age and the amount of smoke in the home, the woman would have died had she not been timely rescued.

A Generational Law Enforcer

For those who know her, it comes as no surprise Officer Mary Kloss would exceed expectations to serve and protect her community.

Daughter of a now-retired Columbiana PD officer, Kloss began building the foundation of her career volunteering in the department's Police Explorers Program at fourteen, the youngest age the program accepts. She then moved on to serve on their auxiliary force, where she was soon promoted to sergeant; a year later, in 2018, she completed her Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy training with high marks and was sworn in as a full-time patrol officer.

The OPBA is proud to call Officer Kloss a member and joins Officer Amann and the Columbiana PD in applauding her courageous actions.