Governor Kim Reynolds and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and first responders at the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A total of seven individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses.
“Today’s award winners met moments of sudden, life-threatening danger or severe hardship with inspiring courage and presence of mind,” Governor Reynolds said. “They are true heroes who represent the very best of our state, and it was a privilege to recognize them this morning.”
Added Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, “These Iowans intentionally and selflessly provided aid and assistance in times of need. It’s an honor to celebrate those who placed the needs of others above their own and answered the call to serve.”
The Sullivan Brothers’ Awards of Valor honors the memory of George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20s – who served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers died together in a tragic attack when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship.
Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, participated in this year’s ceremony. Kelly is a third-grade teacher in Waterloo who sits on the commissioning committee of the new USS Iowa and also commissioned the USS The Sullivans. A total of three first responders, all with the Oelwein Police Department, were honored at today’s ceremony:
1)Officer William E. Ward
2) Officer Codi R. Wurzer
3) Officer Gage D. Voshell
These officers received this prestigious award for their heroic efforts during a February 17, 2024 fire at the Mealey Hotel Apartments. The Oelwein Police Officers entered hazardous conditions at great personal risk in order to locate and rescue a male subject that was overcome with smoke during the fire incident. Officers crawled into the apartment and pulled the subject off of a couch and then dragged the subject across the apartment, out into the hallway and then to safety.
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