First responders deserve Idaho Medal of Honor

Five of our region's finest first responders are scheduled to receive Idaho's highest honor for valor on Tuesday, and they deserve the recognition.

Among those being honored are Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Capt. Fritz Wiedenhoff; retired Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal; and Kootenai County Sheriff's deputies Harvey Ballman, Arek Brock and Joshua Orr.

Also receiving the Idaho Medal of Honor are Corporal Francisco Torres, a K-9 handler with the Pocatello Police Department; Sgt. Justin Buck of the Pocatello Police Department; and Idaho Falls Fire Department Senior Firefighters Travis Adams and Jeremy F. Newman.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador will chair the 2026 Idaho Medal of Honor Ceremony at the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. According to a news release, the ceremony will recognize nine first responders for "extraordinary acts of courage and heroism that saved lives while risking their own."

The event will include an honor guard presentation, individual Medal of Honor presentations accompanied by citations detailing each recipient's heroic actions, and remarks from Labrador recognizing their service and sacrifice.

For those in North Idaho, the ceremony carries special significance.

Several of the honorees distinguished themselves during the tragic June 29, 2025, ambush attack on Canfield Mountain; a day that claimed the lives of Coeur d'Alene Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42.

Engineer David Tysdal's actions may have prevented an even greater loss of life. Despite being shot and suffering severe injuries that left him unable to move his arms, Tysdal remained focused on protecting others. Using only his chin to activate his lapel microphone, he broadcast critical information about the assailant, requested law enforcement assistance and warned incoming responders not to approach his location. Those communications provided valuable information during a chaotic and dangerous situation.

Capt. Fritz Wiedenhoff also demonstrated exceptional courage. Pinned down by gunfire, he continued to communicate over the radio, providing updates on conditions at the scene and warning fellow responders that an active shooter was present. His calm, clear communication helped others understand the danger they were facing and respond accordingly.

Deputies Harvey Ballman, Arek Brock and Joshua Orr likewise put themselves in harm's way. According to a previous news release, the three deputies developed a rescue plan and, under extremely challenging conditions, extracted an injured firefighter, a trapped firefighter and five civilians, while a wildland fire continued to burn around them.

The common thread connecting these five men is extraordinary selflessness. Faced with life-threatening danger, they focused not on their own safety but on protecting and rescuing others. Their actions exemplify the very best qualities of public service, courage and commitment.

We could not be prouder of them.

On Tuesday, Idaho will formally recognize their heroism. For those of us at home, it reminds us that true courage is often found in ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things when others need them most.