4 Michigan Park Rangers Who Saved Lives This Year

MICHIGAN — Not all héros where capes. Some wear park ranger badges.

The heroic actions of four DNR park rangers this year were recognized by the department at the Aug. 8 meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

These four men saved lives. Here's a look at their stories:

• Andrew Lundborg helped rescue a kite surfer at Grand Haven State Park July 18. After a visitor noticed the victim in distress and being swept away by the current, Lundborg entered the water with a life jacket and successfully threw a rescue line. Upon pulling the victim into shallow water, he helped the fatigued man to shore. Lundborg's actions kept the man from being pushed into the rocks of the pier or taken farther away from shore.
• Nick Sparks and Chad Cook immediately took action to help a park patron who encountered trouble while kayaking July 25 at Sterling State Park. The kayaker was overpowered by strong waves in Lake Erie, and the kayak was taking on water. Sparks and Cook launched a rescue boat and located the kayaker after a thorough search.
• Zachary Bierlein helped save a Holly Recreation Area visitor on the evening of May 31. Bierlein found a young woman at Heron Beach unresponsive after overdosing on heroin. After the woman's breathing became labored and her pulse started to decline, Bierlein began CPR upon a 911 responder’s instruction. He performed CPR for 10 minutes until paramedics arrived. Paramedics said that if Bierlein had arrived five minutes later, the woman would have died.

"I believe we have some of the most dedicated park rangers within Michigan state parks," said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson. "These men and women not only ensure that our parks run smoothly, but they address just about any issue that arises."