By KIRBY ROSS
Phillips County Review
PHILLIPSBURG — But for the swift actions of a Phillips County Deputy Sheriff, two small children, ages 2 and 4, would not be alive right now.
On Nov. 4, Deputy John Miner was helping stranded motorists near Long Island when a semi slammed into the vehicles parked along the roadside. With the vehicles erupting into flames, Miner — disregarding his own safety and at great peril to himself — entered one of those burning vehicles and cut one of those children from their carseats and carried her to safety. With his clothing on fire, Miner returned to the vehicle and extracted the second child, carrying him to safety just as flames totally engulfed the vehicle and it was hit by a series of explosions.
Miner ended up in the burn unit at Via Christi Hospital in Wichita, where he underwent skin grafts to his legs.
As a result of Miner's heroism, Bill Posson of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Fort Hays Chapter, on Monday presented the national organization’s Medal of Heroism Certificate to Deputy Miner, with Phillips County Sheriff Charlie Radabaugh pinning the medal on Miner’s chest.
The Certificate of Heroism reads “... in recognition of outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of imminent danger, thus exemplifying the high ideals and principals which motivated and sustained our patriot ancestors.”
For his actions, Miner is slated to receive additional awards in coming months.
Courtesy photos. Republished with permission.