Thursday, June 28, 2007
Governor Culver Honors Five With "Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor"
(Des Moines) On Thursday, June 28, 2007, Governor Chet Culver will honor five peace officers/firefighters for their heroic acts. The Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor Program (previously known as the Governor’s Award of Valor) was established in 1977 to recognize peace officers and firefighters, who while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by the performance of an heroic act in excess of normal demands of police or fire service where the person was fully aware of the threat to his/her personal safety.
During the 30 years since this prestigious award was first presented, 54 individuals have received the Award of Valor – nine of these have been posthumously. It should be known that nominated individuals must meet strict guidelines and that this award is not something that is given out freely. Background investigations are completed on all nominations, and then a committee representing both fire service and law enforcement reviews the nomination and investigation to determine how the nominee should be recognized. Final determination on recognition is made by Governor Culver.
The Commendation Committee decided unanimously that the following public servants receive the Award of Valor:
Reason for nomination:
Chief Tom Courtney, Decorah Police Department – Award of Valor
Captain Warren Leeps, Decorah Police Department – Award of Valor
Officer Sara Stinson, Decorah Police Department – Award of Valor
Volunteer Firefighter Jeff Ode – Award of Valor
On January 12, 2007, at 10:19 a.m., Chief Tom Courtney, Captain Warren Leeps and Officer Sara Stinson responded to a report of a vehicle collision on Division Street in Decorah. The report received indicated there was an injured person at the scene and a car fire involved. Officers arrived several moments later to find a single vehicle upright in the ditch along the road. The engine compartment of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and heavy smoke was pouring from the vehicle. Volunteer Decorah Firefighter Jeff Ode was at work nearby when he heard the fire page. Ode responded to the scene in his own vehicle, and arrived at about the same time as the officers. Officers quickly determined there was a person in the car.
The 84-year-old driver, Olive Sims, was conscious, but unable to assist officers who were trying to get her out of the vehicle. As officers attempted to remove Sims, fire was breaking through the engine compartment and into the passenger compartment. Attempts were made to control the fire with fire extinguishers, however, the fire continued to spread. After several moments, Sims was pulled from the car. Immediately after removing Sims, the passenger compartment of the car was consumed by fire and smoke. The fire department had not arrived on the scene as of this time. Sims was transported to the Winneshiek Medical Center where she was found to have sustained very serious injuries as a result of the collision.
Reason for nomination:
Sergeant Marc Swingle of the DeWitt Police Department
On November 27, 2006, at approximately 2 p.m., Sergeant Marc Swingle of the DeWitt Police Department responded to an unknown problem 911 call at 910 11th Street. Shortly after exiting his vehicle he heard a gunshot from inside the residence as he approached the front door. Sergeant Swingle took a position of cover near the front door where he could see through the glass storm door, a man lying on the floor with an apparent wound to the face. This subject could not see Sergeant Swingle because of the way he was laying. Sergeant Swingle could see that the subject had a handgun aimed at his head and was attempting to cock it and fire again. Sergeant Swingle made a split second decision to open the screen door and reach in and grab the handgun from the elderly male subject who was within two feet of the door. Sergeant Swingle’s bravery and quick actions saved this man from taking his own life. It was later learned that the elderly man, Fred Keding, was suffering from a terminal medical condition and was attempting to take his own life.