Wabasha County deputy honored with life‑saving award after January resuscitation

Lake City Ambulance presented a life‑saving award to Deputy Eric Rowley on the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners’ agenda for his role in resuscitating and helping transport a patient on Jan. 18, 2025.

The recognition, delivered by Sarah Rybarczyk, ambulance director for Lake City Ambulance, honored Rowley for assisting Lake City Police and ambulance crews at a call on Jan. 18 at about 2:37 p.m. Rybarczyk said the patient, Diane Schurhammer, was found pulseless and not breathing when Officer Aaron Foss and ambulance personnel arrived. “Deputy Rowley’s quick response, recognition of the severity of the medical emergency, immediate actions, and assistance directly contributed in saving the life of Miss Schurhammer,” Rybarczyk said as she presented a plaque.

Rybarczyk provided the timeline: after initial resuscitation efforts by police and ALS ambulance crews, Rowley assisted with ongoing resuscitation, preparation for helicopter transport and scene management. The patient was airlifted to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, released about a week later and “is in the process of making a full recovery,” Rybarczyk said. Rybarczyk noted Schurhammer was unable to attend the meeting but passed along her gratitude.

Deputy Eric Rowley, accepting the award, praised the ambulance crew and Officer Foss and said, “they did a lot of the work, but I was just glad I could be there and help.” Lake City Ambulance and Lake City officials posed for photos with the recipient after the presentation.

The presentation was made during the board’s staff‑updates portion of the meeting and was placed on the record by county staff.