Four Nebraskans where honored with the Carnegie Medal today for their acts of extraordinary bravery. All four men risked their lives to save others. Governor Pete Ricketts presented the medals to the recipients today.
Robert Goering Jensen of Ashland ran into a burning house in December of 2015 and rescued a man in a wheelchair trapped inside. He then heard cries and rescued the man’s mother. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
In February of 2016, Brett Bailes, C. Fredric Holbeck and Dennis Wilson of Omaha rushed to an accident scene when a speeding pickup crashed into a car that caught fire. The three men rescued all those inside the car, including a man who was trapped and unconscious.
Governor Ricketts, Captain Michael McGee from the Omaha Police Department and a representative from Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s office presented the medals today to the four for “outstanding civilian heroism”.
The Carnegie Medal is awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.