Sheriff Luke Hennen presented Deputy Amy Weckman, Dr. Andrew Stevens of Credit River, and Ian Brekhus of Prior Lake each with a Life Saving Award from the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association (MSA) during their annual Winter Conference on December 5, 2022. Nominations for this award are submitted by Sheriff’s Offices statewide to the MSA, and are issued to anyone who, under the direction of the Sheriff’s Office, performed extraordinary actions to save the life of a person that would have likely died if not for that action.
On December 3, 2021, Ian Brekhus was hanging holiday lights for his company when his 25-year old coworker had been electrocuted, and was unconscious and not breathing, after the pole he was using to hang lights in a tree came into contacted with a high voltage power line. Ian immediately called 9-1-1 and was instructed to begin CPR.
Minutes after the call was placed, Dr. Stevens and Deputy Weckman arrived on-scene and began administering life-saving assistance to the victim, including shocking him multiple times with an AED and providing oxygen. They were able to restart his heart before he was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for further treatment. From the time Ian placed the call, to the time the victim was loaded into the ambulance, only 20 minutes had passed.
“The immediate response and quick actions of Ian Brekhus, Dr. Stevens, and Deputy Weckman resulted in a positive outcome to a potentially life-threatening event,” said Sheriff Hennen. “We are proud of them for their actions and are grateful that the victim was able to make a full recovery.”
“Doc Stevens” as he’s known locally, is not only a Credit River resident, but also serves as a Credit River City Council Member and is the Medical Director for the Prior Lake Fire Department, which serves the city of Credit River.
Pictured from left to right: Chief Deputy Adam Pirri, Prior Lake resident Ian Brekhus, Credit River resident Dr. Andrew Stevens, Deputy Amy Weckman, and Sheriff Luke Hennen at the annual Minnesota Sheriff's Association Winter Conference Awards Ceremony.