Alaska State Troopers Garrett Stephens and Nathan Hollenbeck were honored by Gov. Mike Dunleavy for bravely risking their own lives to save two Alaskans from drowning in frigid waters.
“Alaskans rely on our troopers to protect them and save them,” Dunleavy stated during a Dec. 2 ceremony where he presented the men with awards for their heroism. “The actions Trooper Hollenbeck and Trooper Stephens took showcase their dedication and commitment to our great state.”
Trp. Hollenbeck rescued man from Tanana River
Around 2:30 a.m. on May 29, Trooper Hollenbeck was called from sleep while on standby to respond to a report of a man struggling in the Tanana River. He arrived at the scene within minutes of the 911 call and found the victim approximately 15 feet below a steel dock.
After securing a tow strap to his patrol vehicle and attempting to lower it to the man – who was too hypothermic to grasp it – Trooper Hollenbeck fashioned a makeshift rescue harness around himself. He called for medics with a boat or hoist and then descended toward the victim, entering the icy water.
For roughly 30 minutes, Hollenbeck kept the man’s head above water until a rescue boat arrived. Both were severely hypothermic and transported to a local hospital.
Because of Hollenbeck’s selfless and swift actions, the man survived and was released from the ICU several days later.
Trp. Stephens rescued teenage boy from Mat-Su lake
On the afternoon of June 10, Trooper Stephens responded to an urgent report of a 17-year-old boy drowning roughly 75 feet from the shore of a Mat-Su lake. He was the first to reach the scene and without hesitation sprinted toward the shore and dove into the 42-degree water.
As he swam, Stephens continuously encouraged the victim to fight for survival. Arriving medics threw Stephens two life vests. He donned one and swam the second to the victim, who was drifting in and out of consciousness and vomiting water. Trooper Stephens secured the life vest onto the teen and then swam both of them back to shore – using one arm to swim while supporting the boy with the other.
The teen was treated for water inhalation and severe hypothermia. Doctors later confirmed that without Stephens’ fast response, the boy would likely have died.
“The heroic actions of Trooper Hollenbeck and Trooper Stephens represent the very best of the Alaska State Troopers,” Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell said. “I am so proud to have such brave and dedicated troopers serving our state.”
For demonstrating “extraordinary bravery, selflessness, and decisiveness during moments when seconds truly mattered,” the two troopers were presented with a Commissioner’s Commendation during a ceremony at the governor’s office on Dec. 2.
2 Comments
Thank you and honor recognizing these two troopers. They give it all when they work for us and their commitment is abundantly clear! God Bless and keep them, each.
When I worked at the American Red Cross years ago, we created the Real Hero award banquet. It just had it’s 25th year celebration. Whether the category was military, aircraft, youth, workplace, fire, wilderness or other, it was almost always related to water. We live in a state where the water is very unforgiving. Stay safe and wear life jackets folks. And thanks so much to these heroes who put their own safety second.