October 30 started as a normal day for Major Sam Hamilton, Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Drill Commander, before he heard a sign of distress.
“I was on my way to back another deputy on the highway,” he said.
" [Then] the tones started going off and I thought ‘well maybe there’s been an accident’ so I started up the street."
Hamilton soon learned he was in the right place at the right time.
“As soon as the dispatcher put the address out I looked over and I was in front of the house.”
Inside the house was a 94-year-old woman trapped by a fire that started in her kitchen.
Just behind Hamilton was Michael Slobodnik of Fire District #6, but on this morning, he was on his way to work as the city Superintendent.
“I was about two blocks away, thought about going down to the station, but knowing there’s an elderly woman that lives there, I went straight to the scene thinking she could be stuck inside, which she was,” Slobodnik said.