Violent situations affecting public safety don't often happen in Cloquet or Carlton County. Luckily, it doesn't mean our local law enforcement officers aren't more than prepared when violent situations do occur.
Just ask Cloquet Police Officers Tom Hallfrisch and Rick Benko, who received Medals of Valor on Tuesday for their quick-thinking and heroic actions in the face of danger.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, Hallfrisch and Benko experienced the most violent of situations, with Hallfrisch nearly being shot by a high-powered AK-47 rifle and Benko having to talk the same gunman out of taking his own life. Unfortunately, the gunman turned the gun on himself after Benko attempted to negotiate with him for nearly an hour.
That type of situation is something no police officer - or civilian, for that matter - can ever be fully prepared for. However, it could've been much worse. And thanks to Hallfrisch and Benko's quick thinking and classic police work, it wasn't.
During Tuesday's Cloquet City Council meeting, Hallfrisch and Benko were awarded Medals of Valor from the Cloquet Civil Service Commission and the Cloquet City Council for their heroism. Members of the Carlton County Sheriff's Department, Minnesota State Patrol and Fond du Lac Police Department were on hand to applaud their fellow officers.
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"It's early in my career, and an honor like this doesn't come every day," said Benko. "I'm honored for the opportunity to accept this with my fellow officers."
"I'm just proud and honored," said Hallfrisch. "I'm glad to be a member of this community and an officer in this department."
Cloquet Chief of Police Wade Lamirande provided a synopsis of what happened on the evening of Nov. 4, and why Hallfrisch and Benko deserve to be recognized for their heroism.
"Officers Hallfrisch and Benko put themselves in harm's way to protect the lives of other responding officers and the citizens of Cloquet," said Lamirande to the city council. "For their actions on that night, I'd like to nominate them for the Medal of Valor."
Sometimes bad situations can bring out heroes, and being a police officers means knowing you're going to get thrown some curveballs, according to Hallfrisch.
"The job's unpredictable, you don't know what each day is going to bring," he said. "You just do the best you can."
