Rotarians Recognize Police, Fire Department Members

Eagan Fire Department volunteer Lisa Karel is passionate about helping people.

In her seven years with the department, Karel has taught fire prevention and safety at Girl Scout events, school visits and even a babysitting clinic. She's participated in open houses, served as an EMS training coordinator and routinely attended emergency calls with fellow firefighters.

That long list of accomplishments earned Karel honors from the Eagan Rotary Club on Wednesday, as the club awarded Karel and Eagan Police Department Detective Lori Tripp on Wednesday with its 2012 Rotary Outstanding Public Safety Service Award. The award is presented annually, and winners are nominated by the city's police and fire officials.

“They serve, they protect, but most of all they care about everyone they’re in contact with," Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges said at the Rotary luncheon held at the .

At the event, Eagan Police Chief Jim McDonald characterized Tripp, the police department's honoree, as a long-time officer with strong instrincts and quick decision-making skills. Tripp, who will retire this May, was the first female officer in the Eagan department and was a "pioneer", McDonald said.

"Everybody knows Lori as a very thorough and experienced police officer," McDonald said. "If you were victimized in any sort of crime … you wanted Lori to investigate those cases."

"I just want to say 'thanks' for this award; it means even more because it’s coming from such as great organization," Tripp said during the Rotary ceremony.

“We have an Eagan Fire Department and Police Department that are second to none," said Eagan Rotary member Tom Wilson.