Those recognized at the Minnesota State Patrol Awards ceremony last week include Minnesotans from all walks of life: troopers, officers from partner agencies, civilian employees and good Samaritans who were in the right place at the right time. However, they have one thing in common: When someone needed them, they stepped up to save lives.

Whether they were pulling passengers from a burning vehicle, performing CPR on an infant or rushing a gunshot victim to the hospital, the awardees were heroes, putting the safety and well-being of others in front of themselves.

The Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson commended the quick thinking and dedication to service showed by Minnesotans both in and out of uniform.

"These awards represent the best of the people of Minnesota," said Jacobson. “Some of these awards involve quick thinking and calm action in the moment and others are about patient tenacity over a longer period of time. All of them demonstrate a selfless dedication to public safety."

While none of the awardees were looking for recognition, they each earned our gratitude by exemplifying the values of the Minnesota State Patrol: respect, integrity, courage, honor and excellence.

“These award-winners showed initiative and leadership both on and off the job. They saved lives, showing courage in challenging circumstances, and went above and beyond in their duties, demonstrating the excellence all Minnesota State Patrol members strive for," said Minnesota State Patrol Col. Matt Langer.

Some of the heroic acts being recognized include:

• ​​Trooper of the Year Sgt. Rachel Jurek is known for putting the agency's mission at the forefront of everything she does and the compassion she shows for crime victims. Sgt. Jure​k worked tirelessly on a fatal crash that resulted in criminal vehicular homicide charges. For weeks, she was in contact with the victim's family and provided them case updates. The amount of professionalism and comfort that Sgt. Jurek provided to these victims in a time of tragedy is hard to put into words.
• Ray French was named Civilian Employee of the Year after serving 38 years in DPS. During his decades of service, French has shown integrity and commitment to the people of Minnesota. Whether it is purchasing items for the warehouse, assisting districts with purchasing questions or acting as backup for the office phones, he is always willing to step up and do what needs to be done.
• Trooper Marshall Freeman was among those to receive the Life Saving Award after he prevented a tragedy on May 10, 2022. Trooper Freeman was the first to arrive on the scene of a man who was reportedly going to jump off a bridge. The man was sitting on a concrete barrier wall over Highway 61. When the man became distracted by another officer arriving on scene, Trooper Freeman rushed up, pulled him off the wall and secured him on the ground.
• ​Good Samaritans Derrell Mitchell and Lashila Roberts heroically stepped up to save lives, jumping into action when a fellow Minnesotan was in danger. They were driving when they witnessed a vehicle go off the roadway, roll over multiples times and start on fire with two people inside. Mitchell and Roberts pulled the unconscious passenger from the vehicle. The driver got out on her own before the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

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