WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Police Chief Matthew Barnes awarded his department’s second-highest honor on Tuesday.
Officer Wade Shnowske earned the Medal of Valor after he pulled a woman from a burning house in late December. Barnes told the City Council that Shnowske was the first on the scene after the call came in, and immediately took action when he learned there was a woman trapped inside.
“The Wausau Police Department does not train for or have a policy that says you should run into a building that is on fire,” said Barnes. “We generally leave that to our neighbors [the Wausau Fire Department.] But Officer Shnowske made a decision, and his actions placed his own safety at risk in an effort to rescue a member of this community.”
Shnowske entered the home through an unlocked side door and navigated thick smoke to find the woman trapped on her couch. He carried her to safety while her legs were burning.
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The victim, later identified as 68-year-old Julia Thompson, died from her injuries a few days later. Barnes said the tragic ending didn’t mean Officer Shnowske’s actions were wasted. “[His actions] gave her the only chance she had for survival and provided her family several precious days to spend with her.
“Wade, your actions serve as inspiration to your fellow officers and this community,” added Barnes.
The Wausau Police Awards Committee approved the medal, which was presented to Officer Shnowske during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Barnes says he will also receive an award of valor from the Wisconsin Professional Police Association in April.
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