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27 Hennepin County residents are honored for heroic acts

October 25, 2013 at 4:03AM

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(David Brewster/David Brewster)

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office honored 27 residents Thursday with its annual awards for exceptional community work and lifesaving acts.

"These are ordinary citizens who have done the extraordinary," Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said in a statement. "Many who are being honored tonight have performed lifesaving acts, some even put their own lives at risk. Their actions give us reason to celebrate tonight."

Recipients included Geoff Racette, a 21-year-old from Plymouth who spotted an SUV in a pond last January and found driver Nancy Breberg, who had been trapped for 18 hours. He gave her food, called 911 and remained with her until police arrived.

Another recipient, Mike Bloom, of Minnetonka Beach, saw a young boy fall through ice on Lake Minnetonka from his home nearby and used a rope to rescue him.

"It was quite scary; he was pretty hypothermic," he said, adding that he was embarrassed by the attention Thursday. "I'm just glad to know the kid's fine and there's a happy ending."

KELLY SMITH

At the Tribute to Extraordinary Citizens on Thursday night in Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek knelt down to congratulate pint-size hero Alexander Haug, 9, who helped save his brother Nathan, 6, from drowning in their uncle’s swimming pool. Alexander was one of 27 citizens honored with awards. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)