(Des Moines) Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and First Responders at the 2022 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this (Friday) morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. Three of those individuals are from the southwest Iowa area.
Herbert “Runk” Wood received the Lifesaving with Valor Award. On April 20, 2021, Runk Wood was driving to work when he noticed a distant fire near Council Bluffs. Getting closer, he saw a crashed vehicle quickly filling with flames. He saw car after car drive by the wreckage and immediately knew he could not be among those who simply turned a blind eye. Without regard for his own safety, he ran to the burning vehicle. The heat was intense and the flames burned Runk’s face as he pulled the driver from the vehicle and got them to a safe distance. It was at that point, Runk realized the driver was franticly pointing back at the car and it dawned on him that there was second person inside the burning vehicle. He raced back to the burning vehicle, found the second passenger, and pulled them to safety as well. Within seconds of pulling the second passenger free, the entire vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. First responders arrived soon after and the occupants were taken to the hospital for treatment. Runk suffered minor burns during his heroic rescue.
Tom Flanery received the Meritorious Service Award. On the early morning of March 30, 2022, Tom Flanery was working on a West Des Moines streetlight in the bucket of his truck when he heard a crackling noise and saw flames coming from the attached garage of a nearby house. He immediately dialed 911 to alert the fire department, lowered his bucket, and ran to the home. Approaching the house, he could hear smoke alarms sounding inside, but could see no movement inside. Unwilling to assume the house was unoccupied, he began knocking on the doors and windows, and making as much racket as possible to awaken any potential residents. Because of Tom’s efforts, a sleeping family began to stir, and they and their pets were safely evacuated from the home.
Dan Pauley received the Outstanding Service Award. On October 9, 2021, near Guthrie Center, the sun was setting on a day of deer hunting for one Iowa hunter. But as he settled into his tree stand, he heard the snap of a tree branch and his world was immediately turned upside down. The stand broke away from the tree and fell 20 feet to the ground. In darkness and without the aid of his broken eyeglasses, the hunter struggled to find his phone and his only chance to seek help. Groping in the dark, he found his phone and was only able to call up his most recent contact and friend: Dan Pauley. Familiar with the area, Dan rushed to the scene, discovered his severely injured friend, and called 911. EMS arrived and had to employ a UTV to rescue the hunter due to the rough terrain. Given the severity of his injuries, the hunter was Lifeflighted to a hospital where he received the emergency care he so desperately needed. The recovery was long, but thanks to his friend, Dan Pauley, the hunter survived that disastrous day.
The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories including:
Meritorious Service, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
Outstanding Service, which 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 to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.
Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards went to:
- Tom Flanery, Panora – Meritorious Service Award
• Kristin Albertson, Decorah – Outstanding Service Award
• Jacquelyn Bear – Outstanding Service Award
• Trisha Keim – Outstanding Service Award
• Dan Pauley – Outstanding Service Award
• Brody Oberbroeckling – Lifesaving Award
• Timica Shivers – Lifesaving Award
• Cory Fleming – Lifesaving with Valor Award
• Richard Kopera – Lifesaving with Valor Award
• Herbert “Runk” Wood – Lifesaving with Valor Award
