Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells, left, and Undersheriff Scott Brenner, right, recognized deputies Blake Reker, Megan Osladil, Chris Ericson, Michael Rooks, and Cory Hamilton  for their lifesaving efforts in two incidents that occurred earlier this year. Not pictured is honoree Burlingame Police Chief Mathew Baker.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office recognized six local law enforcement officers Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, for their lifesaving efforts in two incidents that occurred in Osage County earlier this year.

At the regular Monday meeting of the Osage County Commission, Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells first recognized Deputy Cory Hamilton and Burlingame Police Chief Mathew Baker for their efforts that occurred May 14, 2021. At approximately 9:28 p.m. that day, the sheriff’s office received a report of an apartment fire in Burlingame, Kan. Sheriff’s deputies, Burlingame Police, Osage County EMS, and Osage County Fire Districts 1, 2, and 6 were dispatched to the incident address.

Hamilton and Baker were the first to arrive, and Hamilton forced the apartment door open and entered the residence in an attempt to rescue an adult female trapped inside. Baker assisted in pulling Hamilton and the woman out of the apartment.

“The quick response and immediate actions by Deputy Hamilton and Police Chief Baker resulted in the selfless act with attempting to save a human life,” Wells said. He designated sheriff’s commendation awards for Hamilton and Baker, who was not present for the ceremony.

For their lifesaving efforts in an incident involving an unresponsive infant, Wells recognized deputies Blake Reker, Megan Osladil, Chris Ericson, and Michael Rooks.

Around 11 a.m. July 3, 2021, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an unresponsive child at a residence in Lyndon, Kan. Deputies, EMS, and Osage County Fire District No. 5 first responders were dispatched to the scene. Deputies Reker and Osladil were the first to arrive on scene and took over providing CPR that was already in progress. A short time later a heartbeat was detected and the child started to breathe. Rooks carried the child to the ambulance and Ericson drove the ambulance to an area hospital allowing the EMS crew to provide patient care while en route to the hospital.

Wells noted the quick response and immediate actions by the deputies helped to save the child’s life.

“A failure to act or action after delay could have led to a tragic outcome,” Well said. The sheriff presented a life saving award to each of the deputies.

Deputy Rooks receives lifesaving award.

Deputy Ericson receives lifesaving award.

Deputy Osladil receives lifesaving award.

Deputy Reker receives lifesaving award.