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Community members and police officers, both living and dead, were honored for their actions May 14 at the Onalaska Police Department’s awards ceremony.

Interim Police Chief Tim Hauser recalled the contributions of the late Police Chief John Dlouhy and Investigator David Winjum. “We want to recognize those who have fallen,” Hauser said. “They gave much to their community.”

A memorial service was held for fallen law officers the next day in the Onalaska Cemetery.

Degen Berglund Pharmacy employees James Moore and Kyle Koeller received Citizen Commendation awards. “If it were not for their quick thinking, the man who robbed them might have gotten away,” Hauser said in presenting the award.

“I was honored they gave us the award,” Koeller said. “It’s nice to know someone cares. Too bad he only got a few years (as a sentence).”

In December 2007, a gunman had come to the pharmacy counter demanding oxycontin and left with what pharmacist Moore gave him. However, through the quick action of Moore and Koeller, the robber and his driver were caught shortly afterwards in Minnesota. The man was sentenced to five years in prison and faces additional prison time in Kentucky.

The driver of the get-away vehicle, his wife, faces sentencing later this month.

“My instincts took over,” pharmacist Moore said. “All I could think of was give him what he wants, get him out of here and get it over with.”

Moore didn’t stop there, however. After the robber went out to a waiting car, Moore said, “I shot out the door and got the tag number and a description of the vehicle. And I ran inside and called it in.”

Koeller, who started working at Degen Berglund in February 2007, said the man had come to the counter asking for the pharmacist. Koeller called Moore over and the man told them “I want your oxycontin. ... He was very polite and calm,” Koeller said. “He seemed like a professional.”

Moore, who has been a pharmacist since 1982 and had never been robbed before, opened the safe with the narcotics and gave the man what they had. Koeller said the man never pulled the gun, which was tucked in the waistband of his pants, on them, “but he kept his hand on it the whole time.” As soon as the man left the store, Koeller called 911 while Moore ran outside.

“Kyle kept his cool the whole time, he didn’t get excited and kept a level head,” Moore said. “For a young man (22), that’s a lot of presence under stress.”

Both said things happened so fast, they didn’t have time to think about their own safety. They both praised the Onalaska Police Department for their quick response. “They were there almost immediately,” Moore said. “I’m glad they caught them.”

Quick thinking also possibly saved the life of a 3-year-old child. Aaron and Desiree Bailey received the Citizen Lifesaving Award for providing medical aid to the youngster after he slipped under the lawnmower being driven by his dad. He sustained serious injury to his foot and the Bailey’s kept him from critical harm by controlling the bleeding. “Without their quick medical intervention, the child may not have survived his injuries,” Hauser said. The Baileys were not present to receive their award.

Quick thinking and common sense propelled four police officers to action when an apartment building on Redwood Street caught on fire. Officers Chris Danou, Matt Jahr and Rick Proctor and former officer Mark Moan received Commander’s Commendations for evacuating residents from the burning and smoke-filled building.

“It was one of the biggest fires we’ve been at,” Danou said. “The flames were going real well when I got there.” Proctor was first on the scene and the officers split up to go to different parts of the building to evacuate the residents. The officers said they are not trained for apartment or major building evacuations because the fire department usually handles that. However, their training for stressful situations kicked in and common sense took over, they said.

The officers said they were surprised because all the smoke detector alarms were going off but no one was leaving the building. “Maybe they were sleeping through it or maybe they thought it was a false alarm,” Jahr said.

The officers had to kick in doors to make sure everyone was out. Jahr and Danou said the officers were all sick and queasy from the smoke. They helped an 80-year-old woman and her 4-year-old grandson evacuate. The woman needed medical treatment for smoke inhalation.

Years of service awards went to Kevin Johnson for 20 years, Terry Lund for 15 years and Tim Berg and Mike Moeller for 10 years. Lloyd Wuensch was honored for his five years of service with the Police and Fire Commission.