Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Indiana Safe

Indiana is home to dedicated first responders who go above and beyond to keep their communities safe. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference every day.

Check out five outstanding Indiana first responders who are making an impact. And if you know a hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a first responder for a chance to be featured in our Heroes Who Serve series on Patch!

Officer Evan Myers (Fort Wayne) — In 2024, Officer Evan Myers of Fort Wayne rescued a three-year-old boy with autism who was drowning in a backyard swimming pool. Parents Alex Calvillo and Savannah Ybarra had noticed their son, Aziel, was missing and immediately alerted the Fort Wayne Police Department, mentioning his love for water. Within minutes, Officer Myers arrived on the scene, heard the child crying, and found Aziel lying face-up in the pool. The officer swiftly pulled him to safety, and the heroic moment was captured on body cam, with the parents expressing their deep gratitude for Officer Myers' timely and lifesaving intervention. Read more here.

Firefighter Lee Chapman (Bloomington) — Chapman, a retired Bloomington firefighter, was hailed as a hero after he saved a young woman from a burning vehicle. Woken by the sound of a crash early in the morning of New Year's 2025, he rushed to the scene and found the woman hunched over in the front seat as flames spread from the engine compartment. He opened the door and pulled her to safety just minutes before the car became fully engulfed. Thanks to his quick action, the 21-year-old survived what could have been a tragic start to the year. Read more here.

Captain Mark Baranko (Indianapolis) — In March 2024, Captain Mark Baranko, a firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department, saved the life of a woman trapped in a burning home while he was off duty. Returning home from the grocery store, Baranko noticed flames erupting from the second floor of a house and learned that the homeowner’s wife was still inside. Without hesitation and disregarding his safety, Baranko entered the building through the front door, battling toxic smoke and limited visibility to locate the unconscious woman within a minute. He carried her out to safety, where paramedics took over, and she was transported to the hospital in serious condition. Baranko’s heroic actions were lauded by fire officials, who recognized the significant risk he took to save a life. Read more here.

Officer Sean Stuart (South Bend) — Officer Sean Stuart of the North Liberty Police Department was recognized as a hero for his quick action during a fire at Mercedeze Rain Ice Cream and Chocolate. While on patrol in February 2023, Stuart noticed smoke and rushed to the scene, where he found an elderly woman and her son trapped in their upstairs apartment. Despite heavy smoke, Stuart broke down the door, rescued the woman and carried her to safety. His swift and selfless actions, which saved lives in a potentially deadly situation, highlight his commitment to his community and his role as a dedicated public servant. Read more here.

Captain Austin Everage (Goshen)— In March 2025, Goshen Police Department Captain Austin Everage received the Life Saving Award for reviving an unresponsive overdose victim. In October 2024, Everage responded to the emergency and administered Narcan, which was unsuccessful. Without hesitation, he began CPR, sustaining the victim until paramedics arrived and were able to fully revive them. The individual later made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital. Read more here.

We’re fortunate in Indiana to have first responders like these working tirelessly to keep us safe. If you know a local hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch!