St. Louis Sheriff and County board honor lifesavers

On February 25, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office awarded the 911 Lifesaver Awards, given to those “who have worked together, often risking their own safety, to save others.”

Two dozen citizens, first responders and emergency communication specialists were honored for their efforts, these include:

Daniella Lee and Emergency Communications Specialist Chris Bender

In September, Lee was able to save her grandfather’s life using CPR, while Bender provided support over the phone until the ambulance arrived.

Rogelio “Ro” Noyes

17-year-old Noyes and his father found their elderly neighbor’s house on fire in January, and helped open a stuck door that had trapped the neighbor inside the burning house.

Nicholas Nelson, Tony Maynard and Grace Zeller

Nelson and Maynard were camping in the BWCA during the tragic canoe accident in May of 2024 that took the lives of two and saw two others rescued from the water. Nelson and Maynard were the first to make contact with the survivors, and called 911. They later assisted in making a makeshift landing zone for the emergency rescue, which was flown by Zeller.

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Investigator Matt Miranda and Deputies Blair Twaddle, Riley MacLean, Kyle Voltzke and Dar Giancola 

These Sheriff’s Office personnel saved the life of a fellow St. Louis County deputy who collapsed during a physical training session, using CPR, a defibrillator and oxygen.

Emergency Communications Specialist Don Walters, Deputy Josh Etter and Paramedic Cody Hanson 

Specialist Walter provided emergency instructions to a caller who reported a woman experiencing cardiac arrest for nearly 20 minutes, before Etter and Hanson arrived.

Louis Meglen, Lucas Martin Crawford-Nichols, Lindsey Evraets, and Danielle Mazzio

Meglen noticed a man struggling in the water off of Park Point, before carrying the man to shore, where others provided CPR until emergency crews arrived.

Christian Romundstad

Romundstad witnessed a man struggling in Caribou Lake after falling of a jet ski. He then brought the victim to shore where medical personnel were able to save the mans life.

Alan Williams and Gregory Ryder 

Williams spotted a man on the side of the highway who’d suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was unable to call for help due to poor cell phone reception, until he flagged down Ryder who was passing by. Ryder was able to dial 911 so the injured man could receive medical attention.

Amber, Lisa and Les Reinking

The Reinking’s neighbor’s home exploded in November of 2023, and they were able to pull two victims from the rubble. Amber had previous training with the Sheriff’s office Explorers program and says that training helped her response.

The awards were presented by Undersheriff Jason Akerson.