Bluefield, VA – Bluefield University student and police officer, Noah Ball, is being commended for saving the life of a local resident from a home fire.
On the early morning of February 8, 2022, Honaker Police Officer Noah Ball was called to a structure fire an hour before his shift ended. When he arrived on the scene, he heard the occupant calling for help from inside the burning home. Ball then went inside the flame-engulfed home and discovered the resident unable to move from the couch. Officer Ball evacuated the resident to safety, who was then transported to a local hospital for treatment for severe burns.
“It’s a scary thing to think about looking back on the moment,” said Ball. “I think it’s just one of those things you can’t think about in the moment.”
Ball has been serving in the Honaker, Virginia, Police Department since May 2021 while also taking online courses at Bluefield University. He started his journey at BU as a traditional student and transitioned online when he joined the department following his graduation from the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in Bristol, Virginia.
“I really wanted to see both sides of law enforcement before I chose one, so I wanted to be a police officer,” said Officer Ball. “Going from traditional to online makes it a lot easier for me with my job.”
Dr. Kim Farmer, dean and professor of the BU School of Criminal Justice, said his heroics were not surprising.
“He is a hero in every sense of the word, but hearing that he saved a life at great personal risk did not surprise me at all – he is a remarkable, mature, and noble young man who is the very definition of a servant leader,” said Farmer. “We are blessed he chose BU and the School of CRJ to be part of his life journey!”
As Officer Ball continues his degree, he is exploring the different options through criminal justice.
“I may want to work in magistrate court or be a lawyer,” said Officer Ball. “There are many sides to criminal justice, so I’m just not sure what area I want to be in yet.”
Officer Ball embodies BU’s mission of servant leadership through his commitment to his community.
“My hope is that I can continue working with them [Honaker Police Department] and helping the community to make things better for everyone,” said Officer Ball.