Churchville, Md. (Map, News) - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced Tuesday that a Maryland state police officer has earned the Compassionate Action Award for risking his own safety to rescue cows from a burning building in Harford County earlier this month.

“Cows are often viewed as mindless, milk- and meat-producing machines, so it is commendable that someone would go above and beyond the call of duty to save these animals,” PETA spokesman Mike Brazell said.

He said Cpl. James Kozlewski III deserved to be recognized for his “selfless act.”

Kozlewski was off-duty when he drove past Broom’s Bloom Dairy Farm on Fountain Green Road outside of Bel Air the morning of Dec. 19 and saw the dairy barn engulfed in flames. He stopped, ran into the burning barn and worked to rescue the 57 cows trapped inside. Partly as a result of his efforts, only 10 cows died in the fire.

Kozlewski was injured during the rescue and flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. He has since been released.

PETA will send the award to Maryland State Police to be given to Kozlewski, Brazell said.

“We appreciate everything [Kozlewski] did. It’s very brave to run into a burning building,” said Kate Dallam, the farm’s owner.

She said the trooper initially ran into the building to make sure no humans were trapped inside. After realizing none were, he began freeing the cows.

“He could have gone in and not seen anyone in the barn and left, but he didn’t,” she said.

“He is an outstanding trooper and his actions speak very highly for all troopers out there,” state police spokesman 1st Sgt. Russell Newell said of Kozlewski, who is assigned to the executive protection unit that guards the governor and other high-level state officials.

According to Dallam, Kozlewski was not the only person to run into her burning dairy barn that day. Another man, who has yet to be identified, was also in the barn working to get the cows free, she said.

“We have no idea who he is,” Dallam said, only that he was wearing a red-and-white striped shirt.

Dallam said the cows that survived are now housed at a farm in Churchville.

Kozlewski could not be reached for comment.

mplum@baltimoreexaminer.com