OSBURN — Three firefighters and two law enforcement officers were honored Monday for heroic efforts during a house fire in Kellogg last month. 

Kellogg Police Officer Dameon Groves, Shoshone County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Bowman, and firefighters Cooper Welk, Colton Breda, and Vaughn Hoffman received departmental awards for their roles in the Aug. 1 rescue. 

Multiple agencies responded to the blaze in uptown Kellogg. Officers had attempted to rescue the home’s resident and family pet but were unable to enter due to heavy smoke and extreme heat. 

Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 Chief John Miller said police located the resident and assisted firefighters in the rescue. 

“Some of us might call these men heroes, but we call them professionals because they’re doing what’s expected of them,” Miller said. 

Miller also praised other EMS personnel, including dispatchers.

Hoffman, Welk, and Breda received the department’s Life Saving Award, with Breda and Welk also earning citation bars for their uniforms. 

Kellogg Police Chief Paul Twidt presented Groves with his Life Saving Award and shared a story to illustrate the officer’s character. 

Twidt said Groves had just come from a minor vehicle accident involving an elderly woman who had recently received difficult medical news. 

“It’s tough, it’s probably the right thing to do, but it’s tough to do,” Twidt said. “But on the same day he gives a little old lady a ticket, he runs into a burning building to try and save somebody’s life. That sums up Dameon Groves.” 

Bowman received his Life Saving Award from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Seth Green, who had reviewed body camera footage from the incident. 

“What he did that day was really impressive, we’re stoked to have him,” Green said. “Most people don’t really know, when attending a fire, how thick the smoke is. You couldn’t see 10 feet in front of you. So rewatching that video, it was really impressive watching everyone not even hesitate, charge into the building, and save a life.” 

Miller expressed gratitude for the collaboration among Silver Valley agencies, noting that strong communication improves the chances of successful life-saving operations. 

“Though law enforcement and firefighters share similar goals, they are different,” Miller said. “There is one common goal that stands throughout time: risk a lot to save a lot.” 

    Shoshone County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Bowman shakes hands with Capt. Seth Green after being presented with a department Life Saving Award for his efforts during an August house fire. Also pictured in Fire Chief John Miller.