Two Sturgis police officers were formally presented Thursday with the prestigious Carnegie Hero Medal, the highest honor for civilian heroism in the U.S. and Canada.
Officer Dylan Goetsch and Sergeant Christopher Schmoker were recognized for entering a burning house on May 12, 2018 to rescue a resident still inside. Congressman Dusty Johnson came to Sturgis City Hall to make the presentations.
Both Goetsch and Schmoker said during brief remarks that the title “hero” felt awkward because they were just doing what any police officer would do. Schmoker added that they felt they were going to “get in trouble” for going into the burning house, so he told the chief right away to try to ease the blow.