Beltrami County Deputy & Bemidji Police Officer receive life-saving award

Beltrami County Deputy Sheriff Brian Birt and Bemidji Police Officer Zachary Ruport were recognized on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association at a ceremony that was held at the Riverfront Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota by receiving the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Lifesaving Award.

Birt and Ruport were nominated for the lifesaving award by Bemidji police Chief Mike Mastin for displaying extraordinary performance in their duties to save the life of the person that would likely have died if not for their actions.

On December 9, 2014, at approximately 8:54 PM Bemidji police officers were summoned to a retail establishment in Bemidji after receiving a report of a female fleeing from store security officers after failing to pay for a large sum of items. It was reported that the female was not dressed appropriately for the current weather conditions, which at the time included a temperature of approximately 10 to 15°.

Officer Ruport, assisted by Deputy Birt located the foot tracks in the snow as they entered a wooded area and began following them. After approximately 4 miles of heavily wooded terrain, frozen sloughs, barbed wire fences, the female was found lying on the ground in the fetal position, suffering obvious effects of the elements.

Deputy Birt and Officer Ruport rendered immediate aid and carried her from the woods to an awaiting ambulance where she was transferred to Sanford, emergency department/Bemidji. It was later reported that the female had a body core temperature of 93°. If not for the efforts of Deputy Birt and Officer Ruport the female would have likely perished.

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association annually recognizes Minnesota law enforcement officers and citizens for acts of Meritorious Service, Citizens Valor, Lifesaving Award, and Medal of Honor.