---

Jen Paulsen and Cory Spencer.  There are many in the Chisago Lakes community who already know that these two Lakes Area Police officers are caring and unique individuals;  and now the rest of the state knows it too.  

The duo shared the stage and represented the law enforcement profession well at the 2015 MN Chiefs of Police Association’s annual Lifesaving Awards presentation April 21, in St. Cloud, as they received state law enforcement Lifesaving Awards.  (Life saving honors also went to a Beltrami County deputy and Bemidji city officer,  and a Hennepin County deputy and officer from Maple Grove.)

Lakes Area Chief of Police Kevin Stenson said the chance to celebrate Officers Spencer and Paulsen being selected for the honor was intensified because two Lindstrom residents also were chosen to receive two of only three state “Citizens of Valor” awards for 2015.

Chief Stenson said the whole contingent supporting Lakes Area Police and local citizens, Duane and Karen Noles, filled five banquet room tables. He was proud to see so many attend and lend their support.

The MN chiefs’ association chooses winners from a list of the best of the best in law enforcement doing the right thing, at the right time,  to save a life.  These are highly challenging incidents in circumstances not always conducive to a positive outcome.  Chief Stenson said the two Lakes Area officers used their priority-setting training and emergency responder skills to the utmost,  when they arrived at the scene of what was reported to be a domestic disturbance.  

A brutal beating on-going in Lindstrom’s Stonegate Cooperative Mobile Home Community,   in December 2014, was a difficult scene to assess. The suspect was pummeling one victim, with another victim struggling nearby, according to the preliminary report. The suspect was subdued and taken into custody by Spencer, a nine-year Lakes Area officer, who immediately realized the life-threatening level of the situation, breaking down the door to the dwelling.  Officer Paulsen, with LAPD for about 12 years,  was able to open Duane’s airway and render aid until EMS arrived.

Chief Stenson said emergency responder medical skills are an important aspect of Lakes Area police officer training and,  “It is a service we strive to provide to our community, all the cars carry AEDs and oxygen.  The training that Jen has received gave her the background to make sure (Duane) had every opportunity to survive,” Stenson concluded.

Receiving two of only three citizen of valor awards were Karen and Duane Noles,  who had opened their home to shelter the suspect’s sister,  who feared for her safety. Duane and Karen saved this neighbor’s  life and in turn, the police officers’ immediate response and aid saved Duane from succumbing to what could have been a fatal beating.  

Chief Stenson remarked that he admires the fact that after all they endured, Karen and Duane still believe they did the right thing in opening their home to shelter a potential abuse victim, despite the vicious injuries they sustained.  “They are quite a pair of role models,” he said.

Duane continues to deal with head trauma recovery and may have more surgery to rebuild his nose and shattered eye,  and he has no sense of smell anymore.  

A Caring Bridge webpage is still posted for Duane which shows about half of a $10,000 goal has been reached in fundraising for his expenses.  Lake Area Bank, in Lindstrom, also maintains a benefit account if you’d like to contribute.

 The suspect charged with the assault, Robert Paul Chmielewski, had been scheduled for a trial May 4, and this has been cancelled. His next court appearance is set for May 26.

---