Columbia County boy honored for saving mom’s life

When a Columbia County woman wouldn't wake up one evening in November 2019, her 6-year old son Karl called 911.

The boy was able to let dispatchers know that his mother, who has Type 1 Diabetes, might be having a medical emergency. He was able to answer questions from dispatchers, while keeping his younger siblings calm as they waited for paramedics to arrive at their home, about 22 miles from Dayton.

On Friday, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office awarded Karl Burnstad with its highest civilian honor, the Life Saving Award. It's only been presented twice in the past 39 years.

Undersheriff Robbie Patterson presented the award, along with a challenge coin to Burnstad on behalf of the Sheriff's Office. Keith Viveiros, representing RapidSOS, presented that organization's national Life Saving Award and challenge coin to Burnstad and Dispatcher Nylah Holt, who along with Cindy House handled the call on the day of the incident.

Communications Center Supervisor Dezi Lockard presented Burnstad with a bag of goodies on behalf of the Communications Center, and Garfield County School Resource Officer Jim Nelson also presented Burnstad with a Garfield County Sheriff's Office badge patch and shoulder patch.