MARIES COUNTY — Five people recently were recognized by the Maries County Sheriff’s Office for going above and beyond in service to members of the community. There was a ceremony at the courthouse last Thursday afternoon to recognize these individuals.

Three Vienna High School 11th graders received framed Outstanding Citizens Award certificates. These young men saw a need when a classmate, Joseph Kestermont, did not have money to pay for the lettering for his last name to be placed on the back of a letter jacket. Dylan Buschmann, Trent Rowden, and AJae Scheel, said they thought, “We can do this” and asked some others to donate for the $36 needed to pay for the jacket lettering. It became a much larger thing as so many people came forward with money for the cause. Enough money was raised to pay for the lettering on the back of the jacket, plus to pay for the jacket, a pair of shoes and some socks. Donations came from near and far. Even someone in Florida donated. They boys parents said they did not know about this until it was over.  

At the ceremony on Thursday, Sheriff Chris Heitman said, “In a time when kids are being bullied every day, these young men took it upon themselves to help a fellow student in need.” He said he hopes their actions will inspire others to do the right thing and reach out to the kid who sits alone at the lunch table and to stand up and against bullying of students. He said the young men are outstanding citizens because they helped their friend with no expectations of receiving anything in return. 

Their parents and siblings were present and all were very proud of their sons. Joseph is the son of Shannon Fannon, who said it was nice to meet the young men and to shake their hands. Dylan is the son of Mark and Stephanie Buschmann. Trent is the son of Roger and Amy Rowden, and AJae is the son of Tim and Amber Scheel.

Also recognized at the event on Thursday were two people who acted courageously and put their own lives in peril at the scene of a vehicle accident, when they pulled a trapped woman from her car, saving her life. VHS history teacher Patrick Bresnahan and Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Morgan received framed Meritorious Act awards from the sheriff’s office. 

Sheriff Heitman said on October 24, 2018, Bresnahan and Morgan put themselves in danger when they pulled Treasa Olsen from her burning vehicle. She was trapped in a burning vehicle when they arrived at the scene on Highway 63 north of Vichy near the scenic view. Bresnahan and his daughter were on their way home when they saw debris in the road and a vehicle on its side, on fire. He told his daughter to stay in the car and went to help. Bresnahan said Mrs. Olsen was conscious and coherent, but smoke was entering the cabin. He broke out several windows and attempted to free her, unsuccessfully. A woman named Dee, who witnessed the crash, arrived, as well as another passing motorist, Roger. Together, they were able to push the car over to lean against the rock wall, but were still unable to free her. Deputy Morgan arrived with a fire extinguisher to slow the flames and he was finally able to extricate Mrs. Olsen from the car. They group carried her a safe distance away, where the paramedics and deputies assessed her injuries and the car continued to burn. Bresnahan said it was only afterward that he realized Olsen was my neighbor, Treasa. 

Deputy Morgan suffered from smoke inhalation from his rescue efforts. He received oxygen treatment from MOAD personnel and returned to duty. Vichy Fire and the Highway Patrol also were at the scene of the accident.

At the ceremony on Thursday, Sheriff Heitman said without the courageous acts of these people, Olsen “would not be here today.”

He said Mark Morgan volunteers his time and goes “above and beyond” for the community. He said deputies do not often feel the gratitude they deserve. Mrs. Olsen was present and she called Bresnahan and Morgan “My angels.” She also spoke about her accident, telling those present, “Don’t take your eyes of the road” as she said she briefly looked away from the road and when she looked back, her vehicle hit the logging truck trailer. 

Sheriff’s Chaplain Sonny Williams ended the ceremony with a prayer.