A little after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, a neighbor was seen banging on her next-door neighbor’s door and yelling for help. When no one responded, she began knocking on other neighbors’ doors for assistance.
Neighbors quickly came outside, and the woman shouted, “The house is on fire,” explaining that her significant other and several cats were still inside. When neighbors looked toward the home, they saw heavy smoke coming from the back and visible flames.
Realizing that someone was still inside, and knowing that the man was legally blind, several neighbors immediately ran toward the home to help.
They called out his name and heard banging from inside near the dining room windows. One neighbor grabbed a fire extinguisher while Hector Feliciano went onto the front porch, managed to unlock the screen door, and yanked it open.
Though it was pitch dark inside, Hector could hear the man’s voice and reached in to pull him toward the doorway. Another neighbor assisted, and together they pulled him to safety.
Thanks to the quick actions and bravery of Hector and his neighbors, both residents made it out safely. Sadly, none of the six cats survived, but their courage undoubtedly saved a life that morning.
It is because of his quick thinking, bravery, and heroic community spirit that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Hector Feliciano its Community Partner of the Month for November 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF