2007 Life Saver Award
Law Enforcement Award
Ryan Woodman, Deputy Sheriff
St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Woodman was working patrol in the Hibbing area when he came upon an order of smoke on Howard Street in Hibbing. As he continued to check the area, he was alerted by a citizen of a fire at 204 E. Howard Street. This location housed a business with four individual apartments above it.
Deputy Woodman was first on the scene, entered the building, and encountered heavy smoke inside. He quickly began knocking on apartment doors, alerting occupants of the fire and assisting them in exiting the building. He quickly evacuated at least four adults and one infant to safety.
During this incident, Deputy Woodman reported the fire to 9-1-1 and maintained continuous radio contact with the dispatch center informing them of his progress in evacuating the building. 9-1-1 immediately dispatched both Hibbing Fire and Police Departments who arrived on the scene within minutes.
Deputy Woodman's immediate, brave actions undoubtedly protected these citizens of St. Louis County from harm or potential death. His actions speak highly of his professionalism and dedication to service.
2006 Life Saver Award
Dave Lovaas, Deputy Sheriff
In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 9 - 15, which honors those persons who perform call-taking, dispatching, and other duties for public safety communications departments, the St. Louis County Board presented its annual 9-1-1 Lifesaver Award on April 11, 2006.
Since 1993, St. Louis County has annually recognized the efforts of those individuals who have worked together, often compromising their own safety, to save the life of another person or persons. Not only does the 9-1-1 Lifesaver Award honor those worthy of such recognition, but it provides information to the public on how the 9‑1‑1 system works.
St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Dave Lovaas and 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Janice Makowski were presented with an award for their actions on the following incident:
CPR performed on 2 year old who had fallen into the lake
On May 5, 2005 at 4:57 p.m. Emergency Communications Specialist Janice Makowski received a call from a female stating that her 2 year old daughter had fallen into the lake and was not breathing. Jan began to give CPR instructions to the caller while finding the out the location of the victim. Rescue units were sent.
St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Dave Lovaas was the first to arrive on scene and began giving CPR to the child. The ambulance unit arrived and transported the child to the hospital where a helicopter was dispatched.
The child survived and continues to do well in therapy.