An Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputy on routine patrol early this (Friday) morning, likely saved the lives of a Brayton family, when he alerted them to a fire. Sheriff Todd Johnson says Deputy Jason Rokke was patrolling the Brayton area at around 4-a.m., when he smelled smoke. The deputy checked nearby houses and found smoke pouring out of attic vents at 307 Reynolds Street, in Brayton. Rokke woke up the residences’ two adults and two children, who were able to escape the home safely.

Firefighters remained on the scene for about two-hours. The amount of damage to the home is unknown. The 27-year old Rokke has served with the Sheriff’s Department for about a year. Johnson says he came from Des Moines, where he studied Criminal Justice. Rokke went through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy soon after being hired by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department.

(9-a.m. news) – updated 9:56-a.m.