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OREM — Two days after her home of 40 years burned down, the police officer who helped Gloria Peterson escape the flames returned with an unexpected gift.
Orem police officer Greer Haymond stopped by the home Gloria Peterson was visiting after calling ahead to say he needed to come ask a few more questions about the incident, according to her daughter-in-law Amanda Peterson. In reality, Haymond didn’t come to ask questions — he came to deliver a Christmas tree, ornaments and lights.
“(The officers) said, ‘We wanted to do something that would help make your holidays a little brighter,’ ” Amanda Peterson said. “(My mother-in-law) just broke down and I put my arm around her as she started crying.”
Tyler Harvey, Gloria and Larry Peterson’s son-in-law who lives next door to them, nominated Haymond for recognition at an annual police department awards banquet. The letter he wrote was posted on the Orem police Facebook page Friday.
He wrote that he woke up to the sound of dogs barking on the morning of Nov. 24 and discovered his in-laws' home was on fire.
“As I sprinted out of my house, officer Haymond was leading my mother-in-law from the home,” he wrote. “Officer Haymond responded very quickly and when he arrived at the scene he ran into the home, which was engulfed, and made sure that everyone got out. I believe that about the time that I woke up and looked out my window was around the same time that officer Haymond entered the home. I assure you that the fire was large and the scene was very dangerous.”
She hurried and was throwing some clothes on, which is when one of the police officers walked in and said, 'Ma'am, you need to get out of the house. Your house is fully engulfed.'
–Amanda Peterson, daughter-in-law of Gloria Peterson
Amanda Peterson said that without the help of police officers, her family doesn’t know if her in-laws would still be with them. Her father-in-law typically goes to the gym at 5:30 a.m. everyday, but felt like he should stay home that morning. Shortly thereafter, he noticed a flickering light coming from the bathroom, smelled smoke and saw that the carport next to the home was on fire. He then woke his wife up.
“She hurried and was throwing some clothes on, which is when one of the police officers walked in and said, ‘Ma’am, you need to get out of the house. Your house is fully engulfed,’ ” Amanda Peterson said. “He led them out around the house to the front, and at that point they just stood there and watched the house burn.”
She said the house, where the couple raised their 10 kids after Larry Peterson built it “with his own two hands,” is being considered a total loss. Adding to the emotional stress of the situation, Gloria Peterson had already decorated for Christmas, which family members said is her favorite time of year. Christmas decorations went up in flames and snowmen melted into the grass, the family said.
“Over the past week, no one has really comprehended where or how to start helping,” Harvey wrote. “A Christmas tree is exactly what she needed. For someone that has nothing to receive a Christmas tree from strangers that saved her life was truly more than she could ask for. No one expected the officers to purchase them anything, or for officer Haymond to run into a burning home to rescue a stranger. I commend their bravery and kindness shown to our family.”
Friends have created an account at Zions Bank to help Larry and Gloria Peterson. Donations can be made in their name at any branch.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
