Lincoln Police Officer Pierce Krouse was presented with the Mayor’s Award of Excellence on Monday for rescuing a kayaker from Holmes Lake last November.
Early on the evening of November 5 officers were called to the south side of Holmes Lake to investigate reports of someone yelling for help. Officer Krouse joined the search on the north side of the lake. Using his flashlight and the lights of police cruisers, he was able to see a woman clinging to a kayak about 30 yards from shore.
Krouse then shed his duty vest and shoes and jumped in the water. “I was just worried that she was out there for so long, and the water was cold. Hypothermia, shock, exhaustion. I didn’t know if she had a life jacket or not,” Krouse said following his rescue. “It wasn’t really a thought as to whether I should go out or not it was just kind of we really need to do this.”
Krouse swam out about 30 yards and was able to get the woman on top of the capsized boat and push them both back to shore. Sergeant Tu Tran, who has rescued two people from water, nominated Krouse for the award.
“Officer Krouse’s quick and heroic actions most definitely saved this person’s life as fatigue and hypothermia were setting in and the outcome would have been much different,” Tran wrote. “We are proud of Officer Krouse’s selfless actions and his willingness to risk his own safety for others.”
In addition to the award, Krouse will receive a $50 gift certificate and a paid day off work.