Newsroom

• Press Releases
• Speeches
• Photos
• Contact

Press Release Archive

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Governor Culver To Present Lifesaving Awards On Friday

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver will honor Iowa’s citizen heroes this week when he presents the 2009 Governor’s Lifesaving Awards. Twenty-three Iowans will receive the award this year. The Governor will present the awards at the Iowa State Fair on Friday morning.

“The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards recognize Iowans who have gone above and beyond in saving the life or lives of their fellow Iowans,” said Governor Culver. “These Iowans embody our spirit of service, and I am proud to recognize their heroic efforts.”  

The Governor's Lifesaving Award Program was implemented in the 1970s to recognize Iowans who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone's life or who have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Award Program comprises the following categories:

• Lifesaving with Valor - awarded to those individuals who, at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
• Lifesaving - awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual without placing their own life in jeopardy during the rescue.
• Meritorious - awarded to those individuals in recognition of outstanding and unselfish service rendered in a time of distress.
• Outstanding - presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program is administered by the Department of Public Safety, and selected by a committee within the department.  If you wish to nominate someone worthy of this prestigious award, please fill out your nomination at www.dps.state.ia.us/commis/pib/Awards/lifesavingawards.shtml.

Below are details of Friday’s ceremony and a list of this year’s award recipients and a brief description of why they are being honored.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2009

Dan Davis – Lifesaving with Valor
Badger, Iowa

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on June 16, 2008, Mr. Dan Davis was in his home in Badger, caring for his two-month-old son when he noticed his neighbor’s garage and two-story home engulfed in flames. His neighbor, Technical Sgt. Kevin Edwards, with Iowa Air National Guard in Ft. Dodge, had been deployed two days earlier to aid with the 2008 floods in Des Moines. Without hesitation, Dan dialed 911, passed his son to his wife, and then ran to the burning home. He pounded on the door with no answer before entering the Edwards’ home. By this time, the split level residence was almost completely consumed in flames.

Without regard for his own safety, Dan crawled on his hands and knees, searching throughout the home before he found Hannah (17) and Max (16), asleep in their bedrooms. Fighting through the thick black smoke, he helped the two teenagers escape.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Award with Valor is being awarded for the heroic actions of Mr. Dan Davis when he risked his own life to save the lives of Hannah and Max Edwards from their burning home.

Toby Ames – Lifesaving with Valor
Runnells, Iowa

On July 18, 2008, at approximately 8:00 a.m., 21-year-old Ms. Sarah Elrod, a senior at the University of Iowa, was traveling west on Highway 163. Normally divided as a four-lane highway, 163 was reduced to two lanes of head-to-head traffic for road construction. Ms. Elrod lost control of her vehicle, rotating backwards into the path of an oncoming straight truck carrying 300 gallons of ammonium sulfate. The impact caused the rear-end of Ms. Elrod’s car to immediately ignite, leaving her badly injured and unconscious.

Toby Ames and his 14-year old daughter witnessed the accident. After telling his daughter to dial 911, he leapt from his vehicle and ran to the scene. Upon reaching Ms. Elrod’s car, there were outstretched flames between the two vehicles. Toby could already feel the heat burning close to his legs. He opened the door and was able to pull Ms. Elrod from her car and carry her to safety. Toby held her head while talking to keep her conscious until emergency responders arrived. Ms. Elrod was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital with life-threatening injuries and spent two months making steady progress in recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Toby Ames is being awarded with the Governor’s Lifesaving Award of Valor for his actions in risking serious injury and/or death to himself, and ultimately saving the life of Sarah Elrod from an engulfed car.

Jason Oglesbee – Lifesaving with Valor
Des Moines, Iowa

Chad Coalbank – Lifesaving
Indianola, Iowa

Joe Lowe – Lifesaving
Topeka, Kansas

Bobby Karpan – Meritorious

Shawn Tough – Meritorious

Dave Arp – Meritorious

Kevin Brammer - Meritorious

On June 30, 2009, Alan Neely and Patricia Ralph-Neely were boating on the Des Moines River when their boat was swept over the Center Street Dam. Witnesses watched as the boat crashed into pieces. Mr. Neely was swept away by the powerful current and Mrs. Ralph-Neely could be seen struggling in the boil. After nearly 30 minutes of rescue attempts on Mrs. Ralph-Neely by Bobby Karpan, Shawn Tough, Dave Arp, Kevin Brammer, the Des Moines Fire Department’s Wet Team, and Des Moines Police, Cramer & Associates workers Chad Coalbank, Joe Lowe and Jason Oglesbee joined the rescue effort. Chad worked to remove equipment that was blocking access to Mrs. Ralph-Neely. Joe successfully operated a crane which lowered Jason into the churning waters where Mrs. Ralph-Neely was fighting for her life. Jason was able to hold onto Mrs. Ralph-Neely while the crane directed them to a rescue boat.

The heroic actions of Chad, Joe, Jason, Bobby, Shawn, Dave, and Kevin ultimately saved the life of Patricia Ralph-Neely. Jason Oglesbee is being awarded with the Governor’s Lifesaving with Valor award for risking his life to save Mrs. Ralph-Neely. Chad Coalbank and Joe Lowe are being awarded with the Governor’s Lifesaving award for their relentless efforts in assisting to save Mrs. Ralph-Neely from the turbulent waters of the Des Moines River. Additionally, Bobby Karpan, Shawn Tough, Dave Arp, and Kevin Brammer are being awarded with the Governor’s Meritorious Service award for their unselfish service rendered during this time of distress.

Jim Keho -- Meritorious
Allerton, Iowa

On August 27, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., Mr. Roswell “RD” Blount was on his way home to Allerton from Des Moines after giving a presentation for troubled teens. He had been up most of the two previous nights in preparation for this presentation and was exhausted. As Mr. Blount neared Allerton, he fell asleep at the wheel. This caused him to lose control of his car and become airborne. After rolling once, Mr. Blount’s vehicle came to rest within a steep embankment.

During this time, Jim Keho was outside when he heard an unusual jarring sound coming from the east. Jim walked toward the commotion, but did not see anything noteworthy. He proceeded to his truck and drove ¼ mile down the road before seeing a red Mazda crushed, but right side up. He quickly realized his neighbor, Mr. Blount, was trapped in his vehicle and semi-conscious. Jim yelled, “Don’t move, I’m calling for help!” Responders used the “Jaws of Life” to pull Mr. Blount from the wreckage and transported him to Wayne County Hospital.

Jim Keho is being awarded with the Governor’s Meritorious Award for his timely response in locating RD Blount’s accident and calling for help.

Dakota Mullen – Meritorious
Armstrong, Iowa

On January 5, 2009, 84-year-old Mr. Melvin Cronk was on his way to his garage when he slipped on the ice and could not get back up. The snow along the sidewalk where he lay was piled high enough that vehicles passing by could not see him. After nearly 45 minutes in 10 degree weather, 13-year-old Dakota Mullen responded to Mr. Cronk’s plea for help. Dakota assisted Mr. Cronk back inside and ensured he was all right before continuing to school. Without Dakota’s generous assistance, the outcome may have been more severe.

Dakota Mullen is being awarded with the Governor’s Meritorious Award for the much-needed assistance to Mr. Melvin Cronk in a time of distress.

Chad Blanchard - Lifesaving
Parkersburg, Iowa

Edwin Blanchard – Lifesaving
New Hartford, Iowa

Brian DeBower – Lifesaving
Aplington, Iowa

James Hansel – Lifesaving
Parkersburg, Iowa

Jesse Lamp – Lifesaving
Grundy Center, Iowa

Connie Reynolds – Lifesaving
Aplington, Iowa

On May 25th, 2008, in the wake of an F-5 tornado which moved through the community of Parkersburg, Jesse Lamp, James Hansel, Brian DeBower, Connie Reynolds, Edwin Blanchard, and Chad Blanchard arrived on scene at 712 3rd Street, within minutes after the storm to render aid to Karen & Dana Anderson.

Mr. Anderson was trapped in the basement of his home by walls of debris. A metal object had been driven into his right foot. He was losing a considerable amount of blood and beginning to go into shock. Chad and Edwin Blanchard responded without regard for their own safety to gain access to Mr. Anderson. As they assisted Trooper Souhrada to free him, he shared that his sister, Karen, was buried in the rubble on the upper level of what was left of the house. Without hesitation, Chad and Edwin followed Trooper Souhrada to assist with the search for Ms. Anderson. She was situated beneath the rubble, but still alive. She was having trouble breathing as she was being crushed and overcome by fumes. Rescuers were encouraged to remove Mr. Anderson immediately because any disruption of the debris piles around Ms. Anderson would fall directly onto him. The only option was to remove him before rescue efforts could begin for Ms. Anderson.

Once Mr. Anderson was evacuated from the house, J.J. Hansel and Jesse Lamp stayed to assist with the evacuation of his sister. After the combined efforts of all the rescuers, Ms. Anderson was freed from the rubble.

Brian DeBower was the first to call for help. Connie Reynolds is credited in the saving of Mr. Anderson’s leg and foot by applying a splint to the compound fracture of his right leg and applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Connie also assisted in transporting the Andersons to the triage center. This rescue was a team effort and every participant held an important role. They selflessly accepted a call to help their neighbors while placing themselves in harm’s way.

Jesse Lamp, James Hansel, Brian DeBower, Connie Reynolds, Chad Blanchard and Edwin Blanchard are being awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for their selflessness in rescuing the Andersons from life-threatening debris.

Eric Bottorff – Lifesaving
Newton, Iowa

On October 12, 2008, at approximately 3:30 a.m., 18-year-old Mr. Ryan Grimm was traveling down Highway 21 when he lost control of his vehicle. His vehicle rolled and eventually came to rest in the ditch on its side before catching fire. Mr. Grimm was unable to free himself from the vehicle due to the damage sustained during the roll.

A passing motorist, Eric Bottorff, stopped to assist. Eric obtained a fire extinguisher from a fellow motorist and went down to Mr. Grimm’s vehicle to put it out. While fighting the blaze, Eric noticed Mr. Grimm stuck in the vehicle screaming for help. At that time, Eric knocked out the front windshield, smothered the flames that were burning Mr. Grimm’s feet, and then pulled him from the burning vehicle.

Due to Eric’s courageous actions on that early morning, Mr. Ryan Grimm is still here today. For that, Eric Bottorff is being awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award.

Patrick Kelly – Lifesaving
Monticello, Iowa

On April 14, 2009, Mr. Patrick Kelly was on a late night walk with his dog when he observed smoke pouring out of his neighbor’s home. Patrick instructed his wife to call 911 and ran to Ms. Gloria Wolken’s residence. Patrick began pounding on all windows surrounding the home. A light turned on from a bedroom in the northwest corner of the home and caught Patrick’s attention. He shouted and informed her that her home was on fire. Ms. Wolken was able to open the interior window, but struggled with the storm window. Patrick quickly broke the exterior window and held Ms. Wolken partially outside the window until additional help arrived. CJ Johnson then arrived and assisted her from the burning home. Given any further delay, Ms. Wolken would have died from smoke inhalation.

Today, Patrick Kelly is being awarded with the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for his swift response and heroic actions in saving the life of Ms. Gloria Wolken.

Mark Dirks – Lifesaving
Belmond, Iowa

In the early morning hours of January 14, 2009, Mark Dirks was working an overnight snowplow shift when he noticed a haze filling the streets. Further investigation uncovered a garage had caught fire and smoke fumes were filling the residence. Mark knocked and entered the home shouting, “Fire, your house is on fire.” His shouts woke Andrea Swenson and her son Elijah. He led them and their dog, Lucy, to safety. Without Mark’s courageous actions, the fumes would have overtaken the residents.

Mark Dirks is being awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for his unselfish response in providing aid to Andrea and Elijah Swenson.

Wendy Scharlau - Lifesaving
Des Moines, Iowa

Phil Skrdlant – Lifesaving
Des Moines, Iowa

On February 25, 2009, a fellow co-worker walked passed Mr. Mark Witte’s office when she noticed a gasping sound. She looked in at Mr. Witte and noticed he was slumped over in his chair. After trying to wake him, she noticed he was unconscious. The co-worker quickly went to Wendy Scharlau’s office and requested she dial 911. After phoning emergency medics, Wendy told Phil Skrdlant that Mr. Witte was in trouble and that she was retrieving the defibrillator. Wendy and Phil utilized the AED and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Mr. Witte suffered a major heart attack that required three stents. Without Wendy and Phil’s assistance, the outcome may have been fatal.

Wendy Scharlau and Phil Skrdlant are being awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for their quick response and heroic actions to save the life of Mr. Mark Witte.

Linda Davis – Lifesaving
Tama, Iowa

On June 25, 2008, Mrs. Linda Davis was traveling west on 310th Avenue when Mr. Floyd Campbell failed to obey a stop sign and their vehicles collided. Linda, who was trapped in her vehicle after a secondary collision with a utility pole, exited through the rear window. While suffering from her own injuries, she climbed down a steep ravine to assist Mr. Campbell. He was ejected from his vehicle on impact, landing face-down and unconscious in more than a foot of water. Linda was unable to move him, but held his head above water until emergency responders could arrive. Linda was later transported to the hospital for treatment of her own injuries.

Linda Davis’s actions were unselfish when she saved the life of Mr. Campbell and she is being awarded with the Governor’s Lifesaving Award.