Four officers cited for saving man with missing leg

Four officers with the Shawano Police Department were recognized at the March 8 Shawano Common Council meeting for their bravery during a fire at an assisted living facility.

Sgt. Scott Ruen and officers Jacob Korth, Mequon Frechette and Ronald Frechette received commendations from Chief Bradley Rabideau for their response to a fire Feb. 24 at Oakhaven Assisted Living that saved a man’s life. The fire was reported at 11:47 a.m. that day, according to Capt. Shane Stange.

Korth and Ronald Frechette arrived on the scene first, according to Stange, and saw the fire was coming from one of the rooms. They saw a man in the room on the bed, and Korth started to spray the flames with a fire extinguisher. The other officers tried to communicate with the man but couldn’t understand what he was saying, Stange said.

It was ultimately decided the foursome would enter the room, despite the fire, and rescue the man, who had a missing leg. The officers crawled into the room and extracted him. The man was later diagnosed with a second-degree burn on his existing leg, according to Stange.

“Officers Ronald Frechette, Korth, Mequon Frechette and Ruen worked together as a team during a critical incident,” Stange said. “These officers exemplify the core values of the Shawano Police Department and its mission to protect and serve.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com