Award of Valor presented to McKenzie County Deputy
MCF Newsroom
On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, the Arnegard Rural Fire District (ARFD) and the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to a fast-moving wildfire driven by winds up to 73 MPH. Deputies were the first on scene, working quickly to evacuate residents as the fire storm closed in on homes and businesses.
Amidst zero visibility and flying embers, every deputy on scene showed outstanding dedication. However, one sergeant’s actions stood out.
Sergeant Zac Corbin, while evacuating the area, learned that a legally blind resident was still inside a home directly in the fire’s path. With smoke thick in the air and flames surrounding the property, Sergeant Corbin and a neighbor acted immediately.
Pushing through smoke and fire, they reached the home, where they found the deck already burning. They rescued the resident from a smoke-filled garage and worked to extinguish the deck fire, ultimately saving both the resident and the home from destruction.
Heroes do heroic things, and on this day, Sergeant Corbin’s quick thinking, bravery, and selflessnes in the face of grave danger made all the difference.
In recognition of his actions, Sergeant Corbin was awarded the Valor and Life Saving Award by the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office.
The Valor Award recognizes an act of outstanding personal bravery, intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard of life. It is awarded for acts involving the preservation of human life, where there was a strong possibility of death or serious injury, and the risk taken was justified by the severity of the situation.
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