A western Wisconsin police officer is being honored for his heroism in a vain attempt to save a woman whose vehicle struck a home in Prescott, Wis., that led to a natural gas explosion.
Benjamin S. Henrich, 28, of River Falls, is among 21 individuals from the United States and Canada whom the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced Thursday as recipients of the Carnegie Medal.
The medal recognizes those who "risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others." The award comes with a grant of $5,000.
The fund, in announcing the awards, gave this account of Henrich's actions on that Saturday night in Prescott:
Henrich attempted to save Lisa N. Villigan, 39, from an impending explosion on the night of Feb. 17.
She was behind the wheel of her pickup truck after it left the road and crashed into a one-story house, cutting the natural gas line.
Henrich responded to the scene and approached the pickup's passenger and tried to get Villigan's attention. He got no reply.
Henrich then went around to the driver's side window, which was broken. Moments later, an explosion set the house and truck on fire, throwing Henrich at least 15 feet. Henrich suffered minor burns to his face, and cuts and bruises to his hands and face.
