"It was like watching something from a movie. You are trained for all sorts of things, but you never really expect something like that," Const Christie said.
But it was just something you experienced as part of the job and, this time, the outcome was not grim because the man lived.
Yesterday, the pair received a District Commander's Commendation for administering first aid crucial to saving the man's life.
They were among seven Dunedin police officers awarded commend-ations for dedication to duty at the annual Dunedin police awards.
The awards were presented in front of a large crowd of officers, their families and friends at Dunedin's central police station.
Constables Reece Munro and Kerrin Williams received a commendation after they, with the help of Dunedin man Andrew Hedley (who received a New Zealand Police certificate of appreciation), pulled a man from his burning house in Northeast Valley, probably saving his life.
The fact that, rather than being grateful, the victim was so confused, irrational and aggressive after he was rescued that they had to handcuff him to get him back to the police station, was no issue for the officers.
"That's just the job. He wanted something from inside the house and was upset - you can sort of understand it," Const Williams said.
In an unexpected act of recognition, outgoing Dunedin coroner Jim Conradson was awarded a New Zealand Police certificate of appreciation.
Presenting the awards on behalf of acting district commander Superintendent Malcolm Burgess, who was at another function in Queenstown yesterday, Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said police wanted to show their appreciation and acknowledge Mr Conradson's 37 years of service as Dunedin's coroner.
Mr Conradson, thought to be the only New Zealand coroner to have his office in a police station, had carried out his duties in a fair, impartial, professional and compassionate manner and was always willing to give advice and guidance to police staff, he said.
Twenty-four officers were presented with long-service awards, including Senior Sergeants Bruce Ross and Steven Armitage and Detectives Graham Ross and Neville Aiken, who were awarded their 35-year long service clasps.
Other awards were:District Commander's Commendation: Constable Christiane Thannheiser and Constable Jason Hartnell, for preventing a man from jumping from a fourth-floor balcony of a Dunedin hotel in August this year.
The pair had clung to the man until backup arrived as he hung precariously over the balcony edge, keeping him from falling.
Commissioner's Commendation: Constable Mark Wellstead, for developing "Thirsty Thursday", a road safety education package for young people which has won several national road safety awards.
Commissioner's Bronze Merit Award: Constable Mark Donaldson for negotiating back to shore a suicidal woman armed with a knife who had walked in to a lagoon at St Leonards, near Dunedin, in December 2007.
Equity and Diversity Awards: Constable Janette Craig, Senior Constable Max Holt, Senior Constable Malcolm Parker and Senior Constable Toni Pelasio.
Sue Mackay was awarded a certificate of service.
