Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI
September 2, 2009, Front Page & Page 2
Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Kramer and Jacobson recognized at Conference
Clark County Sheriff’s Department Captain James Hirsch (above, l) congratulates James Kramer for winning the “Saved by the Helmet Award” and (below) Clark County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dawn Jacobson (l) for winning the “Traffic Safety Heroism Award.” Kramer and Jacobson received the awards Aug. 19, at the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety in Appleton. (Contributed photos)
By Peter Spicer
James Kramer and Clark County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dawn Jacobson both received awards Aug. 19, at the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety in Appleton.
Kramer of Marshfield accepted the “Saved by the Helmet Award,” Jacobson received the “Traffic Safety Heroism Award.”
The Clark County Sheriff’s Department nominated Kramer for the award after a Sept. 4, 2008 motorcycle crash.
Kramer began his 10th year working as a substance abuse counselor for the Clark County Community Services Department. He previously held the same title for 11 years at Marshfield Clinic.
Kramer was driving his motorcycle eastbound near Chili on CTH H at the intersection of CTH Y after working late that evening when a vehicle turned in front of him, causing him to strike the right rear corner of the automobile. The motorcycle and Kramer ended up in a ditch, 142 feet from the point of impact.
Kramer sustained broken bones in his right foot and received 16 stitches in his right knee. Kramer also suffered a bruised left eye from the goggles he was wearing with his helmet. He may have sustained serious injuries or death if he had not been using a helmet and eye protection.
Kramer wore a helmet approximately 50 percent of the time before the accident but now wears one every time he rides. “Now, I wear it all the time,” said Kramer. Although Kramer admits he felt somewhat undeserving of the award because of not wearing a helmet every time before the accident, he said he enjoyed the conference and being a part of something positive by receiving the award.
“It felt pretty good,” said Kramer.
Jacobson responded to a one-vehicle crash on CTH H in the Town of York, Dec. 15, 2008. A vehicle was approximately 1,000 feet off the roadway in a wooded area. As the first arriving responder, Jacobson discovered smoke and flames coming from the vehicle. The elderly driver was still in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Jacobson was able to extricate the driver and pull him to safety. Jacobson singed her gloves and jacket in the process of removing the driver.
Without the quick actions of Jacobson, the driver would have received serious burns or may have been killed by the fire.