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April 12, 2007
OHIO STATE PARKS OFFICER HONORED WITH MERITORIUS LIFESAVING AWARD
Geneva State Park staff member recognized for heroism
COLUMBUS, OH - Geneva State Park Officer Rick Alderman has been honored for rescuing an elderly woman from a burning apartment building on March 3. Alderman was presented with the Ohio State Parks Meritorious Lifesaving Award during ceremonies at the park system’s annual meeting.
“Alderman risked his own life to an extraordinary degree, above and beyond the call of duty, in order to save this woman,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “His selfless attitude and instinctive training exemplifies the ethic of public service found in our park employees.”
Alderman was on patrol in the early morning hours when he responded to a report of a possible fire in his area. He arrived at the scene to find a five-unit building fully engulfed in flames.
Bystanders told the officer an elderly woman was still inside one of the apartments. Alderman entered the apartment through heavy, black smoke and found the 66-year-old woman confused and looking for her purse.
He successfully walked the woman, who suffers from multiple medical problems, through the smoke to safety.
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