ST. PAUL, Minn. -- They have made a lot of sacrifices for their communities.
On Friday, local police officers and firefighters received a special honor for their service and two police officers were recognized for making the ultimate sacrifice.
He became known to all of us simply as Deputy Dewey. We followed his story for months, hoping he would pull through after being shot during a standoff in Mahnomen County.
"Always had a smile on his face, always happy, kidding around joking around," says Mark Dewey.
Mark Dewey hoped for the same, but Chris died after a long battle.
There are no words to describe the loss of a son.
"That wasn't expected. You're at work and get that call. You really don't know how to process," says Mark.
It was a proud moment for Mark when Chris became a police officer. Mark worried about the dangers, but knew law enforcement was Chris' passion
"He liked giving back, serving people," says Mark.
On Friday, Deputy Dewey's brother accepted an award for him from members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. These are injured veterans, purple heart recipients, now honoring first responders, hometown heros, who were also injured or killed in the line of duty.
Maplewood police officer Joe Bergeron was killed in May 2010. He was ambushed by two men while he was in his squad car. Bergeron's wife Gail accepted the award, a very special honor since Bergeron's father received a purple heart after WWII.
"That is an honor befitting of Sgt. Bergeron and his family. We can't forget that they are the survivors here," says Dave Thomalla, Maplewood's police chief.
They are the men and women often first on the scene - firefighters, police officers. Those who know and knew them best hope no one ever forgets their sacrifices.
"He was a good man and it wasn't in vain. We know he touched a lot of people," says Mark Dewey.
Several other area police officers and firefighters who were injured in the line of duty also received awards. They are: Steven Hoppe of the Mankato Police Department, David Watson from Lakeville, Chad Sanow from the Fairmont police, Daniel Grosland from the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis firefighters Dennis Mack and Jacob Laferriere.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)