Tag: hero

A Lifesaving Moment Thousands of Miles from Home

More than 4,500 miles from home in Munich, Germany, Deputy Kelly Olson, a school resource officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, found herself in a moment that demanded action. She was off duty, chaperoning a high school group, when she noticed a woman at a nearby table struggling to breathe. The telltale signs of choking were unmistakable.

Washington County Deputy Kelly Olson
(Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriffs Office) 

Olson acted instantly. Relying on years of training, she stepped forward, calmly positioning herself behind the woman and performing the abdominal thrusts she had practiced so many times before. Within moments, the obstruction cleared, and the woman took a breath—her life saved by the decisive actions of someone who had dedicated her career to helping others.

Pictured is Deputy Kelly Olson (right) and a woman whose life she saved (left) while in Germany. (Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office) 

“I became a law enforcement officer to serve and help others, and on this occasion, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to save a life. I’m grateful for the training I received, which enabled me to respond when someone’s life was at risk.” – Deputy Kelly Olson

Recognizing Courage and Preparedness
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, recently recognized Olson’s quick thinking and bravery with the prestigious Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action—a national American Red Cross award given to individuals who use lifesaving skills to save or sustain a life.

“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals, like Deputy Olson, who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Brice Johnson, Regional CEO for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region.

Pictured L to R: Tom Meyer, Red Cross lifetime board member; Deputy Kelly Olson; Brice Johnson, Red Cross Regional CEO for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, and Sheriff Dan Starry, Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Olson’s story is a testament to the importance of lifesaving training, a reminder that emergencies don’t wait for the right time or place—they happen anywhere, and those who are ready can make all the difference.

A Moment of Gratitude and Celebration
The award ceremony was more than just an event—it was a celebration of a community built on service and readiness. Olson’s father, a retired Minneapolis Police Lieutenant who served for 30 years, proudly nominated her for this award and stood by as his daughter was recognized for her heroic actions. The moment was made even more meaningful as Olson recently welcomed a child of her own, adding a new layer of significance to her dedication to protecting .

“I’m so proud of her,” said her father who pinned Kelly’s badge on her nearly 10 years ago.”

Deputy Kelly Olson with her parents, husband and daughter following a Washington County Sheriff’s Office Recognition Ceremony on January 30, 2025.

Get Involved
Emergencies don’t wait. They happen in restaurants, on sidewalks, in workplaces, and at home. Being prepared with the right skills can mean the difference between life and death. The Red Cross offers a variety of lifesaving courses, including CPR, AED, and first aid training, ensuring that more people are ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

Get Trained: Sign up for a lifesaving course today at redcross.org/takeaclass.

Nominate a Hero: Know someone who has used their training to save a life? Nominate them for a Red Cross Lifesaving Award at LifesavingAwards.org.

✨ HERO SPOTLIGHT! ✨ Amber Lawrence Honored with Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Heroic Rescue

On January 7, 2025, we were thrilled to honor Amber Lawrence with the prestigious Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, one of the highest accolades from the American Red Cross. This award recognizes individuals who save or sustain lives using skills gained through Red Cross Training Services.

Brice Johnson, Regional CEO of the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, proudly presents Amber Lawrence with the Lifesaving Award, recognizing her heroic actions in saving a life through her Red Cross training. Photo: America Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

On August 8, 2024, at the Andover YMCA, Amber’s Red Cross training in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid was put to the ultimate test. While on duty, Amber witnessed a stroller with an infant strapped inside accidentally roll into the deep end of the lap pool. Without hesitation, Amber dove into action, jumping into the water and lifting the stroller just high enough for the baby’s head to break the surface. The infant cried out, and with the help of bystanders, both the child and stroller were safely pulled from the water.

Brice Johnson, regional CEO for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, praised Amber’s heroic actions, stating, “We are immensely proud to present the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to Amber. Her actions embody our commitment to enabling people to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.”

Amber Lawrence, honored with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award, stands by the pool where her quick thinking and Red Cross training saved an infant’s life. Her heroic actions exemplify the power of preparedness and courage in emergency situations.

Amber, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin River Falls studying Psychology, has been passionate about swimming since she was three years old. She earned her lifeguard certification in 2021 and now works as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Hudson, Wisconsin, balancing her duties with her academic commitments.

YMCA of the North’s aquatics team congratulate Amber Lawrence on her prestigious award. Photo: American/Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Reflecting on the event, Amber shared, “It was scary. I am grateful for my Red Cross training, which gave me the confidence to handle the situation. My heart was relieved, and I was happy as soon as the child was safe.”

Amber Lawrence, receiving a big congratulatory hug from her grandfather at the Lifesaving Award presentation on January 7, 2025. Photo: American Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Let’s all take a moment to recognize Amber for this heroic accomplishment! 👏

Inspired by Amber’s story? Empower yourself with lifesaving skills by enrolling in a Red Cross training course today! Find a class near you: Red Cross Training ▶️

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them for a Lifesaving Award and help us honor their courage. Learn more about the awards: Red Cross Lifesaving Awards ▶️

A Farm House Burns Down

The fire started in the night on October 5, 2012. Linda, her husband Tom, and their dog Rex were asleep in their home on the Cook family homestead in Somerset, Wisconsin. Rex woke first. He nudged Tom’s arm then Tom woke Linda. Their house was on fire. Linda saw flames going up a wall. She went for the fire extinguisher. It was empty or broken. The fire spread fast. The century-old house turned out to be a tinder box ready to burn. Linda saw Rex through the smoke. She followed him outside. Her feet were bare. She wore pajamas. She looked for Tom. Linda thought he was behind her. “I turned around and he wasn’t there.” He was inside, somewhere inside a house filled with flames and smoke. He was somewhere in the house where he was born and where he spent most of his nights.

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Linda met Tom at the old Stardust Room in Osceola, Wisconsin. “He went there every day. For our first date we went to the fair.” They married in 1974. “I said I’d never marry a trucker or a farmer and I married a man who was both.” Together, they raised five children. For years he worked as a local mechanic and farmed the Cook land with a horse-pulled tractor. Years earlier, in 1968, he lost a hand in a corn picker but he managed, choosing prosthesis for a working arm over a re-attached limp hand. He was no stranger to fire. A barn burned in 1991. Tom and Linda lost horses, cows, pigs, a dog and hundreds of hay bales. Linda baled hay too. “We worked side by side.”

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Tom died in the fire. Linda says he will be remembered as a caring, loving guy. “He loved everybody. He loved his horses.” Tom was known in the area, Linda says, for his horses. They were regulars in the local parade. “We’d get the horses and away we went!”

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During the funeral services, Tom’s ashes were held in a wooden box that his son Scott handmade. Farmers, truckers and others from around the area attended the services. Around 200 people paid their respects. Linda received hugs, many hugs. “My shoulders hurt from all the hugs.” Starting soon to rebuild her life, she wants to put a trailer on the farm. “I don’t want to leave the farm. Tom always said, if something happened to him, stay on the farm.” Red Cross emergency relief has helped to get her going. The Red Cross has been great, she says. “I didn’t know there was a Red Cross out here. I don’t even know how they got my name. I didn’t expect anybody.”

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Wherever she goes and however long it takes to recover, Linda plans to have her dog Rex by her side. “Rex got me out. He’s my hero.” Seven years go Rex was a puppy offered for free at a farm auction. Now he’s a hero to everyone. To all those–Rex, too–who save and comfort our neighbors during great times of need, we express our heartfelt gratitude.

Story and photos by Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross Northern Minnesota Region. Photo descriptions: (1) a baking pan survived the fire; (2) the remains of the Cook farm house; (3) Scott Cook’s handmade box for his dad’s ashes; (4) Red Cross nurse Vonnie Thomas hugs Linda Cook where she’s staying with family in New Prague, Minnesota; and (5) Rex, 7 years old, canine hero and beloved family member.

Banging on doors, pounding on windows saves lives

Story and photos by Red Cross Volunteer Amy Conger

Nathan Steen (l) receives comfort kits for his children from Red Cross disaster relief volunteer John Trieb, July 5, 2012. Photo credit: Amy Conger/American Red Cross

Hudson, Wisconsin resident Nathan Steen was watching TV around 2:30 in the morning, July 5, 2012, when he started to smell an odd, almost chemical-like, smell in his basement apartment. He opened the door to his unit and was shocked to see thick black smoke in the hallway. Running to the fire alarm pull switch in the hallway, he yanked it several times but did not hear the alarm. Nathan couldn’t see flames or the source of the fire, so he went back to his apartment, woke his wife and two children, and called then called 911. He then ran to the other apartments, banging on doors to alert his neighbors to the fire. He was pounding on windows from outside, yelling “Fire!”, when the police arrived and began to assist getting people out from the other 9 units of the building.

Red Cross disaster relief volunteer Jason Winget (l) assisted resident Jannelle Waara following the Hudson apartment fire, July 5, 2012. Photo credit: Amy Conger/American Red Cross

The other residents report opening their doors to thick black smoke before rushing out of the building. A main concern of all the residents was the failure of the alarms to sound. Nathan Steen was truly a hero to alert everyone to the danger before it spread to other areas of the building. The fire appears to have occurred in a basement storage area, but the incident is under investigation by the Hudson Police Department.

Kevin Williams (c) shares his surprise about Red Cross disaster relief with volunteer Jason Winget, July 5, 2012. Photo credit: Amy Conger/American Red Cross

Red Cross volunteer workers Jason Winget and John Trieb assisted residents of the two lower units with emergency disaster relief. They will be able to return to their homes after the smoke damage is cleared. Everyone assisted by the Red Cross was thankful for the help. Kevin Williams, who was displaced by the fire with his mother, said that the Red Cross helped bring relief and comfort to them. He didn’t know that Red Cross volunteers helped people in situations like this and said that he would consider volunteering himself in the future to help others dealing with disaster from fire.

Visit our website redcrossmn.org to learn more about Red Cross services and opportunities.