HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Marshall University Police Officer Chase Poore wasn’t on duty when he found himself running toward danger in the early hours of March 18.
According to Marshall University, wearing a Savannah Bananas T-shirt and Hey Dude shoes, Poore was walking his dog with his girlfriend, Ava Biggum, near Garden Park Apartments when he noticed smoke rising from the building.
“I was wearing a Savannah Bananas T-shirt and Hey Dudes,” Poore recalled.
Quickly realizing the seriousness of the situation, the couple rushed their dog, Nugget, home before Poore got in his car to get a closer look. What he saw confirmed his fears — the building was on fire.
“I realized it was on fire, and that’s when I jumped a fence and started beating on doors and trying to kick them in to try to get everybody out,” he said.
Poore, who had completed 15 weeks of training at the West Virginia State Police Academy, sprang into action.
Relying on both his training and his instincts, he began alerting and evacuating residents, one door at a time.
“Instinct kicked in,” he said. “I knew I had to get everybody out of there and get them to safety. It’s part of this job. If we know that lives are in danger, we need to help them out.”
“I gave everybody one knock and scream. If that didn’t work — if they weren’t already leaving their apartment or outside of their apartment — I started kicking their doors down.”
While Poore doesn’t know exactly how many people or pets he helped evacuate, he remembers their reactions.
“Some were scared. Some were nervous,” he said. “Some didn’t really know what was going on because I was their wakeup call — some random guy knocking their door down. I’m just happy I got everybody out of there.”
While Poore focused on one side of the building, an EMS worker worked on the other, helping more residents to safety. He also credited Biggum, a surgical tech student, with helping provide comfort and aid.
“A big thank you to all the first responders who helped put out the fire and gave aid to people who needed it, and to my girlfriend for being there too to give aid to everybody,” Poore said.
“She’s going to school for surgery tech. Once I got everybody out, she went down the hill and was talking to people and checking on them, just providing them comfort.”
For his heroic actions, Poore was recognized by Marshall University’s Board of Governors.
“Don’t be afraid to help your fellow human,” he said. “If you feel like somebody might be in danger, don’t be afraid to help them.”
Poore said that sense of service is what led him to become a police officer — a path also followed by his brother and some family friends.
A 2024 Marshall graduate with a degree in criminal justice, he now works the overnight shift at the university, handling campus safety.
He encourages students to use caution at night, walk with a friend, and never hesitate to reach out to campus officers.
“Don’t be afraid to contact us,” Poore said.
Whether you need help or just want to say hello, he wants the Marshall community to know: he’s got your back.
