The American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri honored local heroes at the annual Heroes Dinner on Wednesday night at Capitol Plaza Hotel.
The evening began by honoring longtime KRCG Anchorman Dick Preston with the Heart of Hero Award.
"Dick has been our emcee ever since we started this event 20 years ago," Red Cross Executive Director Dave Griffith said. "We wanted to make sure he was recognized for all the support he has given us through the years."
Others honored for their actions in 2016 included:
The Law Enforcement Award was given to Sgt. Dave Echternacht of the Missouri Highway Patrol who was recognized for saving a boat racer during the Shoot Out Boat Race at the Lake of the Ozarks in August. The driver lost control of his boat going more than 100 mph, went airborne and slammed back down on the water, throwing the driver from the boat. Echternacht saw the driver floating face down in the water and drove his boat toward the driver. Echternacht got out of his boat and swam to the driver, got him on his back and opened his airway. The driver was taken for treatment and is now fully recovered, working to repair his boat and race again.
The Good Samaritan Award went to two Callaway County men who saved a Kingdom City couple after a fiery auto crash.
Adam Brunk, of Holts Summit, and Jacob Ellis, a Westminster College student and football player, were recognized for their actions in August.
Bob and Pam Maxwell were driving west nearing the intersection of State roads J and F when the pickup truck was hit head-on by another vehicle. The Maxwells were returning to their home in the truck they had gotten to help them in an upcoming move.
The truck was demolished in the crash, and Bob was pinned inside with Pam next to him having a heart attack.
Brunk and Ellis, traveling in separate cars, were among the first on the scene. Brunk had a sprained ankle, and Ellis had a broken finger on which he'd just had surgery.
They managed to get the couple out of the smoking vehicle before law enforcement officials arrived, and the truck erupted in flames.
"I think it's great that they're recognizing these two young men," Bob said. "I appreciate what they've done."
"They're my angels," Pam said. "They could have driven on, but they didn't."
The Emergency Medical Assistance Award went to Ed Savage who serves with the Regional West Fire Protection District. During a stormy night in Jefferson City, a young woman driving home, unaware of flash flooding on the road she was traveling, drove into high water. Her car started to spin and fill with water. She kicked open the door and got out, but the fast moving water dragged her away from the car and pulled her under every few seconds. Finally, she got to a nearby tree and held on. Her cellphone was soaked and didn't work, but she didn't know a bystander had called Savage who came and found the girl and got a fishing boat to come to the scene. Savage and others got the girl safely to dry land.
The Good Samaritan Award was given to Jefferson City High School student DaMia Day who was recognized for her dancing and singing talents and using them to bring joy to others. She volunteers at day cares and helps put on holiday programs. She uses her talents for children at House of Refuge Church nursery and for patients at St. Mary's Hospital where her mother works in food services.
The Military Hero Award was given posthumously to Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Lewellen, of Kirksville, who was killed during a training mission in Jordan in November. As a Green Beret, he was deployed multiple times overseas. He was on his second deployment to Jordan when his group came under lethal fire. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
The Firefighter Hero Award went to Klif Bullard of the Southern Boone County Fire Protection District. Last September, a young woman hiking on Devil's Backbone lost her balance and fell 30 feet down a cliff suffering brain trauma. Bullard led the rescue effort, getting the girl safely up the cliff to medical personnel. Today, the hiker has fully recovered from her injuries.
Thomas Ward was given the Dr. Charles Drew Blood Services Award for donating more than 20 gallons of blood to the Red Cross since the 1970s. Each unit of blood can save up to three lives, and Red Cross officials said because of Ward's donations, he may have saved as many as 480 lives.
The Healthcare Professionals Award went to Dr. Venkataraman Ramachandran and Dr. Abdullah Dalabih of University Hospital for their work to help save the life of a 6-year-old girl who was run over by a car and suffered serious injuries to her heart, lungs, kidney and esophagus. The girl was in the hospital pediatric intensive care unit for more than two months and was not expected to fully recover, but thanks to the doctors and their staffs, the girl is now able to run and play normally and attend school full time.