Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports one of his Deputies and two Reserve Deputies were recently awarded with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award. The award was presented in conjunction with National First Responders Day, and for their actions during a critical incident that occurred in September of 2020. On the 19th of September, at around 9:25-p.m., deputies were called to the area of 200th Street and Interstate 29 near Percival, for a report of a single-vehicle accident.

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Upon their arrival, deputies were initially unable to locate the driver of the vehicle near the scene. A short time later, Deputy Ashton Luke and Reserve Deputies Anthony Carr along with Devin Juel, were able to hear noises coming from a nearby cornfield and located the driver concealed in the field. The individual had suffered from several self-inflicted stab wounds, lacerations, and was in the process of self-strangulation.

The deputies quickly rendered aid, taking life-saving measures for almost 30 minutes until emergency medical crews arrived. The subject was flown by medical helicopter to an Omaha hospital with life-threatening injuries. Their quick actions and use of training and medical equipment, directly lead to the subject surviving the incident.

Deputy Ashton Luke has been a Fremont County Deputy since July of 2018. Deputy Luke is assigned as a School Resource Officer with the Sidney and Fremont-Mills School Districts. Reserve Deputy Anthony Carr has been a Reserve Fremont County Deputy since October of 2016. Carr currently serves as the Fremont County Reserve Deputy Association President. Reserve Deputy Devin Juel has been a Reserve Fremont County Deputy since July of 2020, and currently also volunteers with the Tabor Fire and Rescue Departments. Juel was on just his 2nd shift with the department at the time of the call.