ATWATER -- On Oct. 12, the Minnesota State Patrol honored troopers and citizens who exhibited fearlessness in the face of danger. More than 30 troopers were honored with lifesaving or meritorious awards and 26 citizens were honored for their efforts to assist the State Patrol and the public.
These citizens were given Meritorious Citizenship awards.
Two of those citizens are Atwater residents Ralph Behm and his son, Darren.
On Nov. 23, 2005, the Behms were driving home from St. Cloud on state Highway 23 when they witnessed an accident. An oncoming car waiting to turn left near Roscoe was rear-ended by a van.
The car plowed in front of the Behms' vehicle and into a nearby ditch.
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Ralph Behm said the car was on fire as it entered the ditch.
The Behms wasted no time. According to the narrative submitted for the award, Darren Behm attempted to open the driver and passenger side doors on the burning car, but both were lodged shut.
He then kicked open the rear driver's side door and was able to open the driver's side door from within. With assistance from his father and another motorist, David Lavoi of St. Cloud, Darren Behm began cutting the driver's seatbelt. The three men then removed the driver from the vehicle and carried him across the road as the car became engulfed in flames, according to the narrative.
"He never would have made it on his own," Ralph Behm said.
Lovoi was also awarded the Meritorious Citizenship award. All three received a plaque and pin as part of the award.
"You don't think nothing of it while you're doing it," Ralph Behm said.
Darren Behm has yet to receive his award as he is currently serving his third tour in Iraq and is scheduled to return home in December.
The three men were nominated for the award by Sgt. Dennis Koenen with the Minnesota State Patrol.
