He described it as “pure chaos.” Back in January as embers flew around and ash took over Altadena skies during the height of the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Police Department Officer Chrystian Banuelos was one of hundreds of first responders helping the community during the emergency.
As residents raced to safety while trying to beat the speed of the flames on the morning of Jan. 8, Banuelos bravely saved an elderly woman by carrying her out of her home during the blaze. Months later, he was able to meet the thankful children of the woman he saved.
The children of Laverna Sharpe, 101, embraced Banuelos this week, happy they were finally able to express their gratitude for his heroic actions. The 31-year-old officer’s rescue was captured in a widely circulated image as he carried Banuelos to safety. Newly shared body camera footage showed the moment he carefully picked Sharpe up from her bed and saved her.
“All that we could think about at the moment was, ‘Get everybody out,’” Banuelos said.
The blaze was quickly approaching Sharpe’s neighborhood when Banuelos went to her aid. She needed help vacating her home since she was unable to walk, was blind and had Alzheimer’s disease.
“I think at that point, I was just trying to reassure her that we had her, that we got her and she was going to be OK,” Banuelos said.
Sharpe’s family said ultimately, the smoke she inhaled and her other health issues were too much for their beloved mother. She died in April, they said.
“Mom’s had other issues in the past and she always bounced back,” Wanda Sharpe, Laverna’s daughter, said. “This time, she did not bounce back.”
Banuelos said it’s unfortunate he was able to meet the woman he saved from the blaze, but was happy to have met her children. Wanda was joined by her brothers, Melvin and Emerson.
“You just felt like you were just doing your job, it wasn’t a big deal. But it was a big deal to us,” Wanda said as she held an image of the rescue.
Emerson and Melvin lost their homes to the fire, but the siblings’ childhood home on Glenrose Avenue survived. The trio now often sits on the porch of the home, reflecting on January and the memories they created growing up.