Two Cortland officers who risked their lives to rescue a man from a burning vehicle in Bazetta Township last December were recognized Monday for their life-saving actions. 

Officers John Mosora and Chuck Lohry were called to Bradley Brownlee Road on Dec. 27, where they were able to pull the sunroof off of a burning, flipped vehicle and pull the driver out to safety.

On Monday, the officers were presented with a proclamation and ribbon from the Cortland City Council. 

"Initially, it was a structure fire when it came over the radio, so we weren't sure what it was when we got there," Mosora said. "Then we realized it was a vehicle that went through the fence."

Mosora says that once they discovered there was a person inside, they knew they had to act fast. 

While the officers both expressed that they were just doing their job, they understood that it could have had a different outcome.

"For us, it was just a call. We take calls all the time, and someone needs help, so we go," Lohry said. "This one turned out good; it could have been bad."

Chief of Police Davis Morris commended the officers for their bravery and ability to stay calm during the incident. 

"The overwhelming support received from the community and everywhere else is kind of wild. It's something you don't expect, really," Mosora said. "It's just what we do."