Des Moines, Iowa — Three O’Brien County residents were honored Thursday morning when they were presented the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for heroic actions they had performed, which resulted in the saving of lives.
City of Sheldon snowplow operator David Andringa received the award for saving the life of Sheldon resident Bob Poppema, who he found outdoors, lying in the snow, during a blizzard. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens related the story during Andringa’s award presentation.
Archer residents Richard and Miriam Ludeke were also presented the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for their actions to keep a young lady alive after her car was involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer rig at the Carnes intersection on Highway 60. Bayens related the Ludeke’s story.
The Governor’s Lifesaving Award Ceremony was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, so Andringa and the Ludeke’s were among those honored at the 2021 ceremony, which was held Thursday morning in the Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines.
Pictured left to right, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Governor Kim Reynolds, David Andinga, DPS Commissioner Stephen Bayens
Pictured left to right – Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Governor Kim Reynolds, Miriam & Richard Ludeke, DPS Commissioner Stephen Bayens
