DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol is praising a trooper who responded to a house fire while he was driving Gov. Terry Branstad.
The patrol said Thursday trooper Greg Steffen was driving Branstad to Des Moines after an event Wednesday in Eddyville, when they passed through Monroe on Highway 163.
Steffen noticed black smoke, couldn’t tell where it was coming from and decided to investigate, eventually finding a house engulfed in flames. An elderly resident had escaped the fire with multiple burns.
Steffen moved the woman and bystanders away after noticing a propane tank, and rendered first aid until emergency crews arrived. Branstad stayed in the vehicle a safe distance away.
Capt. Mark Logsdon says Steffen “demonstrated a great example of public service” by protecting the governor and residents during the incident.