The Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday presented its Life Saver Award to Trooper Braden Heidbrink, recognizing his actions that saved the life of a 4-year-old boy severely injured in a lawnmower accident earlier this year.
The accident happened May 10, when Lancaster County 911 received a call that a child had been severely injured in Hallam. Heidbrink was the closest responder and arrived within minutes to find the boy with life-threatening injuries to both legs as his father attempted to help.
Heidbrink applied a tourniquet to the child’s right leg and bandaged the left before Hallam EMS arrived and transported the boy to the hospital. The boy ultimately required an amputation of his right leg, but officials say Heidbrink’s immediate response was critical to saving his life.
“You don’t do this job for moments like this,” said NSP Col. Bryan Waugh, referring to the award ceremony. “We sign up to do this job because we genuinely have a passion to serve, to protect, to be there at the most horrible, horrific moment in somebody’s life, that we can hopefully make a difference in that moment.”
Waugh added that Heidbrink not only delivered life-saving medical care, but also supported the child’s family in the chaotic aftermath of the accident.
The honor came during a ceremony attended by Gov. Jim Pillen, NSP leadership, members of Heidbrink’s National Guard unit, and the child’s family. The boy also attended and showed off his prosthetic leg.
“You responded, took care of this little guy in an incredible moment,” Pillen told Heidbrink during the ceremony. “He’s going to have a great life because of what you did in that moment.”
Photo: Nebraska State Patrol