BUCYRUS — Four members of the Crawford County community were recognized Wednesday evening at the Crawford County Justice Center for their acts during Winter Storm Harper.
Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent recognized Henry Teters, Curtis Teters, Kevin Moser and Thomas Wagner for their actions during the weekend storm.
Kent said the men assisted the agency in rescuing stranded motorists, including deputies and the sheriff, himself.
While driving on Andrews Road on Jan. 19, checking the road conditions, Kent said he entered whiteout conditions causing him to hit a drift and he became stuck in the roadway.
“The drift made it, so it was hard to even open my doors,” Kent said. “That was when I called the Level 3.”
Curtis Teters, whose wife is a dispatcher with the department, heard the call from the sheriff and contacted the sheriff’s office to find the sheriff’s whereabouts. Curtis and Henry Teters, Curtis’ father, made their way to the sheriff’s location and plowed him out.
“They had to plow from Route 4, basically all the way to the railroad,” Kent said.
Henry Teters said it is what people should do for each other.
“We had the equipment to help,” Henry said. “People should help each other when they are needed.”
Also, during the storm, a motorist became stuck on Ohio 19. Moser was contacted and pulled the motorist out of the snow.
“When the sheriff calls, you can’t really tell him no, can you?” Moser said with a smile. “I wasn’t worried about going out in the storm. I like driving in the snow.
“I definitely didn’t expect any recognition. When someone needs help, you help them”
Wagner also assisted on Ohio 19 on Jan. 20, after an off-duty deputy became stuck while trying to assist another stuck motorist. Kent said Wagner pulled out both vehicles with his tractor and then used the tractor’s snow blower to clear much of the road.
“I was waiting about 40 minutes for a plow at that point to go down that road, but with amount of work needing done in the county, a plow couldn’t get there any faster,” Kent said. “It was a big help to have him close by.”
Wagner was not able to attend the event.
For their efforts, the four men received certificates of appreciation and a challenge coin from Kent. Challenge coins are given to “staff and members of the public who go above and beyond during stressful or dangerous situations.”
“I think it says a lot about the type of people they are, that they’d come out in nasty conditions to help people out,” Kent said.
However, Kent did add that citizens should not venture out into those conditions on their own accord, as these individuals were contacted directly by the sheriff’s office.
Concluded with a message to those being recognized.
“It’s always nice to see neighbors and friends helping each other out,” Kent said. “You are the reason I am proud to call Crawford County my home.”