Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Minnesota Safe

Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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!

Staff Sergeant Mason Conlin & Firefighter Jacob Ryks (Saint Paul) — In 2024, Staff Sergeant Mason Conlin of the Minnesota Air National Guard and firefighter Jacob Ryks of the Saint Paul Fire Department responded to a house fire with a mother and six children trapped inside. Without hesitation, Conlin and Ryks entered the burning home multiple times, rescuing five children while facing extreme heat and thick smoke. Their relentless efforts demonstrated extraordinary courage, even as four of the children ultimately did not survive. For their bravery, both men were honored with the Minnesota First Responders of the Year award and the inaugural Mayor’s Medal of Honor. Read more here.

Dispatcher Lisa Rippentrop — Dispatcher Lisa Rippentrop of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office was honored with the 2023 First Responder of the Year Award for her quick thinking during a life-threatening emergency. When a frantic 911 call came in from a mother reporting her unresponsive 2-year-old, Rippentrop calmly gathered the necessary details to dispatch help and alerted responders to a man who had fled the scene with an infant. Thanks to her timely actions, both the infant and the suspect’s vehicle were located nearby, likely saving the child’s life. Rippentrop, a nearly 30-year veteran, was praised by her peers as a steady and compassionate presence in crisis situations. Read more here.

Sergeant Jeremy Depies & Officer Ashley Bergersen — When a 4-year-old boy fell through the ice at Bryn Mawr Meadows Park in 2023, Officer Ashley Bergersen and Sergeant Jeremy Depies acted without hesitation. Bergersen plunged into the frigid water alongside Depies, pulling the unresponsive child to shore while their team performed chest compressions until paramedics arrived. Bergersen then rode with the boy to the hospital and remained by his side, later learning he had survived after days in a coma. For their bravery and quick action during the harrowing rescue, both officers were awarded the Medal of Valor, the department’s highest honor. Read more here.

State Trooper Zachary Gruver (Detroit Lakes District) — Minnesota State Trooper Zachary Gruver received the Exceptional Service Award for his quick thinking during a high-speed emergency involving a runaway SUV in 2024. When an 18-year-old driver’s accelerator became stuck, causing the vehicle to reach speeds over 100 MPH, Gruver raced ahead and instructed the teen to deliberately crash into the back of his squad car to bring it to a stop. His bold maneuver safely ended the crisis just outside of Hitterdal, preventing what could have been a devastating accident. No injuries were reported, and Gruver was recognized for his decisive actions that likely saved the driver’s life. Read more here.

EMS Lieutenant Sulo Kyyra (Cannon Falls) — EMS Lieutenant Sulo Kyyra was honored by the Minnesota 100 Club as the 2023 First Responder of the Year in the EMS/EMT category for his bravery during an apartment fire with children trapped inside. Arriving before the fire department, Kyyra broke through smoke-filled windows and rescued two children, diving into dangerous conditions before a falling curtain rod forced him to retreat. He then helped fight the fire to aid in the rescue of a third child. His selfless actions saved two young lives and earned him statewide recognition for heroism. Read more here.

We’re fortunate in Minnesota 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!