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 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An officer with the Douglas County Department of Corrections has been named the organization's officer of the year for his efforts to save several children from a burning house.

The corrections department says Arthur Cooks was on duty Feb. 12, 2009, when he saw smoke coming from a north Omaha house and heard children screaming. He called 911, grabbed a fire extinguisher from his vehicle and ran inside. He was able to get some of the children out and directed firefighters to the others.

Authorities have said five children - ranging in age from an infant to 17 - were injured in the fire. All suffered smoke inhalation, and some had small burns.

Cooks is a 22-year veteran of the department.

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