At the Iowa State Fair, Governor Terry Branstad recognized the selfless acts of kindness in 18 lifesavers
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, on Friday, August 16, 2013, 18 people received awards for their lifesaving efforts. Awards were given during the Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Ceremony.
Among the recipients was a trio of heroes, Joel Catour Jr. from Moline, Illinois, Katherhan Hitchcock from Taylor Ridge, Illinois and Kevin Kavanaugh from Donahue, Iowa. In December of 2012, a contractor, Randall Struck, tripped in front of a moving lull machine, which ended up running over his foot and leg.
Suffering from a compound fracture, Catour, Hitchcock, and Kavanaugh made a tourniquet out of a belt and pocket knife to slow down his blood loss. As emergency crews arrived, the three worked to keep Struck conscious. He received medical care, was released from the Intensive Care Unit and is on his way to recovery, according to the department.
Honorees are recognized based on lifesaving with valor, lifesaving, meritorious service, and outstanding service. The department defines them as follows:
- Lifesaving With Valor: Award is presented to those persons who, while risking their own life, saved the lives of others;
- Lifesaving: Award is given to those who have saved the lives of others without apparent risk to their own life;
- Meritorious Service: Award is presented to those individuals who have rendered expeditious service in a time of emergency.
- 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.