Several first responders are being honored for their actions during the June 29 shooting on Canfield Mountain that took the lives of two firefighters and seriously injured a third.

Attorney General Raul Labrador notified the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office that deputies Harvey Ballman, Arek Brock and Josh Orr will receive the Idaho Medal of Honor Award. The three deputies will also receive the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Honor Award. 

Northern Lakes Fire District Capt. Fritz Wiedenhoff was also named as a recipient of the Idaho Medal of Honor, as was Engineer Dave Tysdal with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.

A press release said Ballman, Brock and Orr developed "a plan, and under the most challenging of circumstances extracted the injured firefighter, a trapped firefighter, and five civilians, all while a wildland fire was actively burning." 

As the fire began to spread, the deputies were able to remove the bodies of Coeur d’Alene Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

“In the face of danger and the unknown, with disregard for their own personal safety, Deputies Ballman, Brock and Orr acted heroically," Sheriff Bob Norris said in a press release. "Kootenai County residents should feel safe and secure knowing that we have deputy sheriffs willing to sacrifice themselves to protect and serve our community.” 

Tysdal, who was shot and wounded during the attack. also received the Idaho Medal of Honor for his actions during the June 29 ambush. 

"Dave’s action saved many lives during this horrific event," a press release said. "Despite having just been ambushed and paralyzed, Engineer Tysdal’s first instinct was to prevent additional responders from walking into danger. Unable to move his arms, Dave used his chin to key his lapel microphone and broadcast a description of the assailant, request law enforcement, and warn others not to respond to his location."

Tysdal recently retired after 24 years of service and is recovering from his injuries at home.

Northern Lakes Fire Chief Kevin Croffoot spoke Tuesday about the pride he felt for Capt. Fritz Wiedenhoff, who was also a recipient of the Idaho Medal of Honor.

Pinned down behind a rig, Croffoot said Wiedenhoff kept communicating what was happening around him.

“He was very clear on the radio to get law enforcement up there and don’t let anybody else come up there. There was an active shooter,” Croffoot said.  

Tysdal alerted first responders to the danger and Wiedenhoff clarified the present threat. 

“That day, he didn’t want to leave Dave,” Croffoot said. “He stayed on the radio.”  

The recording of Tysdal and Wiedenhoff from that day is being used to train other first responders in the event they find themselves under fire, Croffoot said. 

“We couldn’t be more proud with the way he (Wiedenhoff) handled himself that day and the reflection it’s had on our organization,” Croffoot said. 

Wiedenhoff was in Boise during the announcement.

Croffoot said he got closer to Wiedenhoff by working the blue shift together for years. In a room full of firefighters, Wiedenhoff’s personality is contagious and “lights up the room.” 

“He is one of the nicest guys, hardworking, just an amazing man,” Croffoot said. “What he demonstrated that day is no surprise to me; he is an outstanding individual."

As a result of the Canfield Mountain incident, KCSO has sent deputies on more emergency calls in recent months, along with the department, Croffoot said.

“We have a joint effort, it’s brought law and fire closer,” he said. 

    Fritz Wiedenhoff

  

    Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Engineer Dave Tysdal.
  

    Captain Fritz Wiedenhoff won the Medal of Valor through the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District for his efforts to stay and keep communication open during the Canfield Mountain incident.
  

   Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Arek Brock.
  

   Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Harvey Ballman.
  

    Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Orr.