Area residents honored at Governor's Lifesaving Awards Ceremony

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recognized 18 individuals for unselfish service to their fellow citizens and family members August 16 at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The Governor's Lifesaving Awards Ceremony recognizes citizens who helped a friend or neighbor in critical need of assistance, and in turn, became everyday heroes.
There are four categories in which honorees are recognized:
The Lifesaving With Valor Award is presented to those persons who, while risking their own life, saved the lives of others.
The Lifesaving Award is given to those who have saved the lives of others without apparent risk to their own life.
The Meritorious Service Award is presented to those individuals who have rendered expeditious service in a time of emergency.
The Outstanding Service Award is 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 an unselfish service rendered in time of emergency and not necessarily life threatening.
Four Waukon area residents were among the collection of 18 individuals recognized by Governor Branstad. They represent half of the eight individuals who received such recognition after acting unselfishly to rescue and care for victims of the August 26, 2012 two-vehicle accident that trapped and injured members of the Patrick Egan family on Highway 76 near Rossville.
Waukon residents Darryl Brink, Justin Hager and Keith Schroeder each received a Lifesaving With Valor Award for their efforts in trying to free Patrick Egan, Sr. and Patrick Egan, Jr. from the fiery wreckage of the accident before pulling the two vehicles apart to prevent any further harm to the trapped Egan father and son. Fellow Waukon resident Janet Schroeder also received the Meritorious Service Award for her efforts in assisting Lance and Dustin Egan away from the wreckage and tending to them until emergency rescue personnel could arrive.
Also receiving a Lifesaving With Valor Award but unable to attend the August 16 ceremony were Walker Hovey of Decorah and John DeBacher of Monona, WI, who also assisted the Egan family members trapped in their truck. Jacob DeBacher and Kristen Lehker of Monona, WI were each also honored with a Meritorious Service Award for tending to the Egan family but were unable to attend the ceremony.