We just do what we need to do, and I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Chris Majeski, Washington County Deputy

Majeski received the department’s Medal of Valor for his actions.

A Washington County Deputy named Chris Majeski was honored with the Lifesaving Award by the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association (MSA) on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Alexandria, after responding to a wrong way driver accident in June, pulling a semi driver from harm before the cab of his truck went up in flames.

The crash, which took place on I-94 westbound at County Road 71 this past June, claimed the life of the wrong way driver, and would have claimed that of the semi driver, but for Majeski’s actions.

Arriving at the scene of a wrong way driver call this past June, Majeski noticed a Fed-Ex driver passed out at the wheel after being struck by the driver, with flames leaping towards the cab. Majeski got the driver’s attention enough for them to wake up and unfasten their seatbelt, then open the door, with Majeski pulling them to safety across the highway divider as flames engulfed the semi cab.

Awarded to Majeski this weekend at the MSA Sheriff’s Winter Conference at Alexandria, the Lifesaving Award is “awarded to any employee, volunteer, or person acting under the direction and control of any Sheriff’s Office who is a member of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association,” as well as civilian persons whose actions have been deemed to save a life, per the MSA.

In the call Majeski received the award for, there was no time for delay - it would have been too late.

“We just do what we need to do, and I was just in the right place at the right time,” Majeski said when interviewed earlier this week.

Majeski previously received the department’s Medal of Valor for his actions this past June.