Crime & Safety

Service Officers Recognized at Rotary Club Meeting

Both Eagan's fire and police chiefs gave an award to a service officer who's gone above and beyond Wednesday.

The Eagan Rotary Club recognizes two service officers each year for a job well done, chosen respectively by the police and fire chiefs.

At this past Wednesday's meeting, Police Chief Jim McDonald recognized Officer Brian Resny. According to McDonald, Resny was raised in the community and went through the Eagan school system. He was hired at the Eagan Police Department in March 1999 and was known as part of the "Fab 5" group.

"All five candidates hired at that time are top notch," McDonald said.

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Since he was hired, he's been recognized by the department on several occasions for his self-initiated work. He also contributes to the department in more ways than just solving crimes, McDonald said.

Resny is the Eagan Explorer adviser, and he works with and teaches individuals ranging from 14 to 21 years of age about various areas and tactics used by the police department.

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After receiving the award, Resny stated, "I've been in nine pursuits, and at times I thought I was going to die in the blink of an eye."

Service is the reason I got into this career, he said.

In addition, Fire Chief Mike Scott presented volunteer firefighter Chris Gustafson, who has been with the department since 2009, with this year's award.

Gustafson works full-time as a personal trainer at Apple Valley's L.A. Fitness. This past February, a situation arose at the gym where Gustafson was able to utilize tactics he's learned while working as a volunteer firefighter to save a man's life.

Scott said usually firefighters that receive the award have been with the department for a lot longer than Gustafson. But his quick thinking nature and ability to immediately react and save a man's life is exactly what the fire department is about.

"Hopefully I'll have more opportunities to do some more good," Gustafson said after receiving his award. "I'm going to be here a long time."

 

 


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