Four men were recognized at this month’s (Oct. 2020) Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting for their efforts to save a man who had fallen out of his kayak into Lake Sharpe.
In April, a 66-year-old man was fishing approximately 200 yards from shore near the Fort George Boat Ramp east of Pierre. He dropped his rod and reel into the water and, in an attempt to retrieve it, fell out of the kayak.
Holding onto the side of the kayak, the man—who was not wearing a life jacket– was unable to either get back in or swim to shore.
Working on a nearby boat ramp and realizing the man was in trouble, GFP Regional Park Manager Pat Thompson and Maintenance Technician Pat Redden immediately called 911. Knowing a response would take time, they also began efforts to flag down a boat to get to the man.
Soon after the 911 call, South Dakota State Highway Patrol Trooper Sargent Austin Schmitz arrived at the boat ramp. Meanwhile, Redden had flagged down Mark Schaeffer, who was passing by with a boat in tow. The group quickly put the boat in the water and rescued the man who had been in the 39 degree water for approximately half an hour. The man was taken by ambulance to the Pierre hospital, where he was treated for exposure and released.
Thompson, Redden, Schmitz and Schaeffer each received a Valor Award from GFP along with Awards of Commendation from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The Valor Award is newly created by GFP to recognize extraordinary efforts by staff, other agencies and members of the public.
Photo L-R: Sargent Austin Schmitz, Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Rick Miller, Pat Thompson, Wildlife Conservation Officer John Murphy, GFP Secretary Kelly Hepler, Arden Petersen, Pat Redden, Mark Schaeffer.
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