'Ordinary response ... extraordinary outcome' and lives saved

Hennepin County sheriff's deputy John Piper was on routine patrol in Minnetonka last year when he came across a house that was under construction.

"As I drove down the street, I saw a ball of fire roll out of the garage door," Piper said. "That definitely got my attention."

For his response, Piper was among those honored Thursday by the Sheriff's Office for outstanding work and lifesaving acts.

After calling in the fire, Piper hustled two carpenters off the site as flames began to engulf the house.

"I could hear a whistling sound, almost like a jet engine," Piper said before the ceremony.

The carpenters told him there was a 100-pound propane tank in the garage. Piper evacuated the neighbors, telling them to get as far away as possible. One was worried about his dog. "I said, 'Well, grab your dog and go.'"

Moments later, the propane tank exploded.

Despite a quick response by firefighters, the house "was in real horrid shape" afterward, he said.

However, because of his by-the-book actions, no one was injured.

"In this case, it was quite honestly an ordinary response with an extraordinary outcome because he did what he was supposed to do," Sheriff Rich Stanek said.

The sheriff emphasized that by doing his job, Piper saved lives.

"When he got there, he did his job absolutely by the book," the sheriff said. "Who would have ever thought that propane tank would explode like that or turn into a gigantic fireball?"

Thirty awards were given at Thursday's ceremony in Brooklyn Park. Among the honorees was the sheriff's warrant unit, which handled 55 court orders for immediate custody of children living in situations considered harmful, and removed them to safe locations.

There was also a swearing-in ceremony for new personnel, and 36 people were recognized for recent promotions. In addition, five K-9s received their badges.