Kids honored for 911

call that saved dad's life

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Tricia Bjerke, 12, and her brother Josh, 11, received certificates of commendation from Police Chief Erv Weinkauf Thursday for their quick action in saving their father's life.

Their dad, Steve Bjerke, 48, started choking in their home at 105 Bianchi Dr. about 7 p.m. on Feb. 11. It was a situation in which, doctors decided later, the choking caused oxygen deprivation, which in turn resulted in a seizure, Bjerke explained.

"I was freaking, but I made the call to 911," Tricia Bjerke said. "In about one and a half minutes our living room was filled with people."

Those people were Brown County Sheriff's Deputy Ron Bentz, the first officer to arrive, and Sgt. Jerry Losinski, Officer Steve Depew and Cpl. Alison Miller of the New Ulm Police Department.

"When I arrived on the scene, I observed Officer Depew and Deputy Bentz carrying Steve Bjerke out of the bathroom and into the living room. Bjerke was unresponsive and barely breathing. It appeared that we were losing Bjerke fast," Miller said in her report of the incident.

The officers did what they could to open Bjerke's airway and administered oxygen by a non-rebreather mask. Then, the EMTs arrived, and by the time Bjerke was transported by ambulance to New Ulm Medical Center "his color was improving, and he looked to be doing better," Miller said.

Tricia and Josh were home alone with their father because their mother, Gail, who was working in the Twin Cities, was forced to stay overnight there because of icy roads.

"They knew emergency protocol, and because of their quick thinking, they kept me alive," a proud dad said. "I'd also like to say an additional thank you to the emergency crew that arrived so fast."

"It is with no doubt in my mind that Steve Bjerke's two children are to be commended for staying calm and notifying the proper rescue personnel via the 911 system," Miller said.

"Ultimately, it is Tricia and Josh who should be credited for saving their father's life."