'Our Guardian Angel': Off-Duty Officer And His K-9 Partner Rescue Teen Girls from Fiery Crash

April 12, 2025

Today's good news story comes from California, USA.

An off-duty correctional officer from Salinas Valley State Prison is being hailed as a hero after jumping into action to save two teenage girls from a terrifying car crash.

Officer Grady with Anna / Credit: CDCR

Officer Grady was driving with his K-9 partner, Anna, when he witnessed a Honda CRV lose control on Highway 25. The vehicle veered into a ditch, flipped multiple times, and struck a power pole before landing on its side. Moments later, smoke and flames began rising from the wreckage, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Without hesitation, Officer Grady pulled over, called 911, and ran toward the smoking vehicle. Inside, he found two teenage girls who were conscious but trapped. Using his training and quick thinking, he assessed the situation and was able to pull both teens to safety through the sunroof—just in time, as flames began to spread.

Once they were at a safe distance, Officer Grady brought the girls to the back of his vehicle, where K-9 Anna offered comfort and companionship during the stressful ordeal. Anna, a trained support dog, provided a calming presence with her sweet demeanor, offering cuddles and kisses to the shaken teens.

Officer Grady contacted the girls’ parents and stayed with them until emergency responders arrived. The parents arrived at the scene shortly after and personally thanked Grady and Anna for their life-saving efforts and emotional support.

In a heartfelt message, one of the crash victims wrote:

“Thank you, Officer Grady and Anna. You were God sent. May God bless you and your wonderful companion. I am so grateful for the comfort and support you brought me and my friend... Anna was so sweet. It was almost as if she could sense the trauma we had just went through and comforted us with kisses and cuddles.”

The teenagers credit the duo with saving their lives.

“I am forever grateful... You were genuinely our guardian angel and will always hold a big place in our hearts. I thank God every day for blessing us with Officer Grady and Anna; they are true heroes.”

Photo and story via CDCR