Eight people were honored Wednesday for their work leading to the arrest of two men who allegedly led authorities on a high-speed chase and assaulted a Minnesota State Patrol trooper in December.

Five dispatchers and three private citizens were recognized at a Minnesota Department of Public Safety event honoring citizens, troopers and other public servants Wednesday in Vadnais Heights.

According to a press release announcing the awards, five Chief’s Commendation Award-Communications/911 awards were given to:

Radio communications supervisor Ryan Rismeyer

Radio communications operator Don Hakes

Radio communications operator Tim Jensen

Radio communications operator Julie Johnson

Radio communications operator Mark Kunde of the Southern Regional Communications Center

Meritorious Service Awards from the incident were awarded to private citizens Gretchen Batzel, Brent Bygland and Ladon Wallin.

Trooper Doug Rauenhorst was allegedly assaulted by Montrell Smith and Anthony Enriquez of Milwaukee in the December incident. Rauenhorst was taken to United Hospital in Blue Earth and released the following morning. Prior to the assault, he pulled over the vehicle the men were riding in on Interstate 90 west of Minnesota Highway 254.

“During a traffic stop on Interstate 90 in Faribault County, a driver fled with Trooper Doug Rauenhorst partially inside the vehicle,” the release states. “The occupants inside then physically assaulted Trooper Rauenhorst and threw him out of the car. Gretchen Batzel, Brent Bygland and Ladon Wallin stopped their vehicles on the interstate to render aid to Trooper Rauenhorst until help arrived.

“A lengthy and chaotic pursuit of the suspect’s vehicle ensued. During the pursuit, the vehicle drove through the median and into oncoming traffic while occupants threw bundles of marijuana from the vehicle. During the pursuit, the dispatch team assisted law enforcement, which ultimately led to the arrest of the suspects.”

The Jeep the suspects were riding in was later found unoccupied in the parking lot behind Brick Furniture in Albert Lea, and Smith and Enriquez were arrested at Sportsman’s Tavern.

Wallin said Wednesday he was “just glad that things turned out the way they did.”

“I’m more grateful that he’s OK and everything turned out OK,” he said.

Rauenhorst has not returned to work.

Smith and Enriquez are charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, fleeing a peace officer, fifth-degree drug possession and fifth-degree marijuana sale.

Contested omnibus hearings for the two men are scheduled for March 15.

 

Albert Lea first responders recognized

The ceremony came two days after local first responders were honored during an Albert Lea City Council meeting for lifesaving CPR measures undertaken Oct. 25 and Dec. 3.

Albert Lea Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske noted Wednesday firefighters work to save lives and said the incidents show the importance of working as a team with law enforcement and emergency medical workers.

Joshua Hall, David Moen and Kurt Wallace from Albert Lea Fire Department were honored for the Oct. 25 response, along with former Albert Lea firefighter Jordan DeVries; dispatchers Cheyenne Lundak and Sara Terhune; and Gold Cross personnel Sarah Berwald, Amy Wollenburg, Jeff Neve, Tim Winkels and Jenni Golbuff.

From the Dec. 3 CPR rescue, Neve and fellow Albert Lea firefighters Chris Bergerson, Bart Berven, Chris Harveaux, Matt Levorson and Andy Munson were recognized; along with Albert Lea police officer Adam Conn; Gold Cross Ambulance employees Jeff Neve, Tim Winkels and Laura Beckmann; and dispatchers Natasha Grove and Lisa Rippentrop.