Sheriff Jeff Jaeger recently presented awards to members of his staff for exemplary service in the past year.
At a ceremony held in December, Sheriff Jaeger bestowed the agency’s Life Saving Award on Deputy Randy Ruleau for his actions on Sept. 13, 2015. Ruleau was on routine patrol on that date when he was sent to the Otter Lake Recreation Area after a report was received of a child drowning. Despite its remote location, Deputy Ruleau was on the scene within three minutes of the call. He found a young child clinging to a bouy with his face barely above water. Family members told Deputy Ruleau that the boy’s father tried to rescue him but the boy had panicked and climbed on the father causing him to go under. Deputy Ruleau stripped off his emergency equipment then entered the water and swam to the boy. He then secured him and brought him safely back to shore just minutes after the call to 911 was placed.
Thanks to Deputy Ruleau’s quick actions, the young boy was reunited with his family safe and sound.
Also at the ceremony, Deputy Sam Steckbauer was presented with the Deputy of the Year award and former 911 Communications Officer and now Administrative Secretary Kari Weiland was given the agency’s employee of the year honor.
Sheriff Jaeger stated he was pleased with the dedication of the men and women of his agency.
“We strive to hire the best and the actions of these employees emulate what we expect from the men and women who serve Lincoln County,” he said. “It is our goal to make Lincoln County a safe place to live, work and play. Thanks to the actions of the above individuals we made things a little safer in our community.”