A Texas police officer is being hailed a hero. Corporal Joshua Swisher pulled a trapped driver from a burning car on Highway 114 in Southlake on June 7, seconds before it erupted in flames.

Swisher was handling an unrelated traffic stop when dispatch warned of a smoking Nissan Altima. He flagged the car onto the shoulder. Flames spread fast from under the vehicle with the driver still inside.

The door handle snapped off in Swisher’s hand. He smashed the window with a breaking tool and dragged the man out through it. Bodycam and dashcam video captured the dramatic rescue. Moments later the car was fully engulfed.

The driver suffered no serious injuries. Swisher got only minor burns on his arm. The department awarded him its Meritorious Conduct Award, its second-highest honour, for courage under pressure. The video has been viewed millions of times online. Swisher downplayed his heroism, saying any officer would have acted the same. The department called his actions exemplary.