Delaware County Deputy, Family Escape Fire, But Dogs Die

A Delaware County sheriff's deputy and his family escaped their burning home, but three dogs, including the deputy's K-9 officer, died in the fire.

Friday, January 13th 2012, 10:35 pm

By: News On 6

Delaware County Deputy, Family Escape Fire, But Dogs Die

Tragedy struck a Delaware County sheriff's deputy and his family. They escaped their burning home just in time Thursday night, but three dogs, including the deputy's K-9 officer, died in the fire.

It's a tough loss for anyone, but this family has been through its share of tragedy.

Steve Brownell's a sheriff's deputy, a firefighter, and a longtime Delaware County resident. But he's a family man first, so when the family home went up in flames, he got his wife and kids out safely.

"It's one of them deals that I knew I had to take care of my family. I went from an officer back to a husband, dad and made sure my family was saved," Brownell said.

His daughter carried this little one to safety, but Brownell went back inside the burning home to try and save the three other dogs -- including his K9 dog, Latz.

"I couldn't. Two of them were in kennels and I just couldn't get to them because the fire just rapidly moved in and everything and I couldn't get to them. I had to get out," he said.

This wasn't Brownell's first brush with death, or the first K9 companion he's lost.

Three years ago, the deputy was shot in the line of duty. His partner Chico was stuck in the patrol car and damaged his teeth trying to rip through the cage to help Brownell.

Vets fixed his teeth, but Chico died of cancer last April.

Brownell got Latz, the new dog, just six months ago. Now, he doesn't even have pictures of the dogs.

"They're up there playing in dog heaven. They're having fun with the other two little pups too," he remarked.

Scattered among the ashes of the home: partially-melted beds. Terrifying reminders of what might have happened to the family.

"One of the things I got out was mine and her wedding bands. We just spent 21 years together on January 4," Brownell said.

An unbreakable bond for a man who is determined to recover, rebuild and remember.

Brownell believes the fire started near one of the house's two chimneys. The family knows starting over will be tough but Brownell says, they've done it before, and they'll do it again.

They'll be living in a friend's travel trailer until they can rebuild their home.