Eagan Police Officer, Firefighter Honored at Rotary Luncheon

Every year for the past decade, Eagan Fire Department Captain Rick McLay takes time away from his wife, son and family-owned business to attend training seminars, and instill that knowledge into the department's new recruits.

Now, his long hours and dedication as the leader of the fire department's training programs have earned him the 2013 Rotary Award for Outstanding Public Safety Service. McLay, who has served with the fire department for 18 years, is one of two public safety officers to receive the Rotary award—issued at the Eagan Rotary Club's Wednesday luncheon.

Eagan police officer Andrew Helgerson, one of the EPD's two canine officers, also received the award. The award is presented annually, and winners are nominated by the city's police and fire officials.

McLay is relentless in his pursuit of new knowledge and helpful training techniques, according to fellow fire department members. He also spends time as part of the department's Apparatus Committee researching new, specialized equipment for implementation by the fire department, according to a nomination letter submitted by Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott.

"As Station Captain for Fire Station Five, Rick serves as a formal and informal mentor to many of our firefighters and our neighboring firefighters he has helped instruct over the past years," Scott wrote.

Helgerson, a 12-year veteran of the police department, recently began working with a new canine partner, Badger. Together, the pair attend countless public demonstrations, according to a nomination letter submitted by Eagan Police Chief Jim McDonald.

In 2002, Helgerson also earned the EPD's Medal of Valor for their attempts to save a woman trapped inside a submerged car. He's also taught training programs at the St. Paul Police Department's Training Unit academy.

"Throughout his career, officer Helgerson has always strived to make the Eagan canine unit the best it can be and to train officers from multiple jurisdictions on canine procedures," McDonald wrote.