SAN JOSE, California — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named San Jose Police Department Officer Michael Jaycox its May 2026 Officer of the Month after officials said he rescued a young child from a burning vehicle following a multi-vehicle crash.

NLEOMF announced the recognition on June 17. The organization said Jaycox was selected for rescuing a 4-year-old child trapped inside a burning vehicle after a serious crash in early May.

Rescue after a multi-vehicle crash

According to NLEOMF, San Jose Police Department officers responded to a major traffic collision involving multiple vehicles. After the crash, one vehicle became engulfed in flames while an adult driver and a young child remained trapped inside.

NLEOMF said Jaycox was among the first officers to arrive. The organization said he rushed to the burning vehicle, removed the child from the backseat and assisted in extracting the driver before transferring both people to medical personnel.

The memorial fund said additional officers and emergency responders aided other people involved in the collision, several of whom were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

“Officer Jaycox’s actions exemplify the courage and selflessness law enforcement officers demonstrate in service to their communities,” NLEOMF CEO Bill Alexander said in the announcement. “Without hesitation, he placed himself in harm’s way to rescue a child trapped inside a burning vehicle.”

National Officer of the Month recognition

NLEOMF said the Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law-enforcement service and devotion to duty.

Police Magazine also reported the NLEOMF recognition on June 25, crediting the source graphic/photo to NLEOMF.

For Support Law Enforcement readers, the recognition points to a moment most communities hope never happens: an officer arriving at a chaotic crash, fire spreading, and seconds mattering for the people trapped inside.

Sources reviewed

Editorial note: ThinBlueNews used NLEOMF and Police Magazine source-backed facts and the real NLEOMF Officer of the Month source graphic/photo with attribution. The article avoids identifying the child beyond the age reported by NLEOMF and uses no AI-generated rescue imagery.