DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens have honored heroic citizens and First Responders at the 2019 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held Tuesday morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.  Among them was Matthew Van Baale, of Harlan, who won an Outstanding Service Award, which 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 to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

Iowa DPS spokesman, Sgt. Alex Dinkla told KJAN News Van Baale was recognized for his heroic efforts following an ATV accident. Dinkla said on a cold, rainy March 29, 2017, a local farmer was working with his cattle, and in the process, his 4-wheeler overturned. The farmer suffered serious injuries. He tried to crawl out and obtain help on his own, but passed out due to his injuries. Minutes turned to hours. Dinkla says while Van Baale was driving in the area, he sensed something wasn’t right, and eventually found the man and called 9-1-1 to summon rescue personnel. “Thanks to his efforts and his determination that day, that gentleman is still with us today. Matthew was awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for Outstanding Service.”

Matthew Van Baale

A total of 20 individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses. This was the first year the two awards programs were combined for one very special event that featured the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard and the National Anthem performed by Simon Estes.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories including:

• Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
• Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
• Meritorious, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
• Outstanding Service, which 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 to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards honored 13 civilians:

•    Kenyon Murray – Outstanding Service Award, Cedar Rapids
•    Matthew Van Baale – Outstanding Award, Harlan
•    Sarah “Sally” Dunshee – Lifesaving Award, Ankeny
•    Lee Gard – Lifesaving Award, Grimes
•    MariClare Thinnes-Culver – Lifesaving Award, West Des Moines
•    Sarah Thomas – Outstanding Service Award, Des Moines
•    Nicholas Jaschen – Lifesaving Award, Sumner
•    Luke Preussner – Lifesaving Award, Manchester
•    Daniel Roby – Lifesaving Award, Des Moines
•    Nathan Thayer – Lifesaving Award, Prole
•    Mehl Wright – Lifesaving Award, Keokuk
•    Ryan Cripe – Lifesaving with Valor, Fort Dodge
•    Gregory “Gus” Loehr – Lifesaving with Valor, Callendar

The Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor recognized seven First Responders from two fire departments:

•    Firefighter – Joshua Myers, Sigourney Fire and Rescue
•    Firefighter – Joseph White, Sigourney Fire and Rescue
•   Firefighter – Zachery Steinhart, Sigourney Fire and Rescue

•    Captain Rich Damm, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Gary Doud, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Andrew Ewing, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Will Munley, Ottumwa Fire Department

To make future nominations, or for general information on the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, visit the DPS website: www.dps.iowa.gov.