State Patrol awards honor heroic citizens, top DWI enforcer and Trooper of the Year
St. Paul, MN — Two state troopers who rushed to save a driver having a heart attack and a young girl who called 911after watching an RV hit a pedestrian are among those recognized by the State Patrol at its annual awards presentation.
Each year, the Patrol honors citizens, members of other law enforcement agencies, troopers and State Patrol employees who performed life-saving acts or excelled in a crisis or efforts to ensure safer Minnesota roads.
The State Patrol honors Trooper Ron Richards as the 2010 Trooper of the Year. The almost 17 year State Patrol veteran received this honor for his hard work ethic and his commitment to keeping Minnesotans safe. Richards serves in the U.S. Army (both active and reserve) and is a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Jackson Fire Department.
The State Patrol top DWI enforcer for 2010 is Trooper Jack Tiegs of the East Metro District. Tiegs arrested 139 impaired drivers in 2010.
Recipients of the State Patrol “Life Saving Award” include:
Sergeant Paul Dunkel and Trooper Scott Kuphal – the pair along with Brown County deputy Dave Huhn responded to a driver involved in a crash. They performed CPR to keep the victim alive until EMS personal arrived.
Trooper Renee Adrian and Trooper Brian Bammert- the pair responded to a suicidal jumper on the Dartmouth Bridge over the Mississippi. They pulled the man off the bridge rail.
Trooper Kelly Mager- he also responded to a suicidal jumper on the Orono dam in Elk River. Trp. Mager pulled the woman over to safety.
Recipients of the State Patrol “Meritorious Citizenship Award” include:
Don Machacek-the Minnesota Department of Transportation FIRST driver saved a mother and her two children from a sinking car.
Taylor Thole- the 11-year-old girl and her grandmother witnessed an RV hit and drag a pedestrian on I-35 and Highway 96. Taylor called 911 and gave dispatchers a description and location.
Recipients of the State Patrol “Meritorious Service Award” include:
Trooper Mike LeDoux and Trooper Matt Respet- the pair repelled down the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth to save a suicidal man.
“The people we honor today represent the greatest quality in every Minnesotan, the drive to keep people safe and help someone in need,” says Col. Mark Dunaski, chief of the State Patrol.
