Kenosha County sheriff's deputies to receive North America's highest civilian hero award (2024)

A pair of Kenosha County sheriff’s deputies who saved a woman and her two children from drowning in Lake Michigan last summer will receive the continent’s highest civilian honor for their heroism.

Christopher Bischoff, 34, and Kelsey Schwuchow, 30, both of Kenosha, are among 18 who will receive the Carnegie Medal, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced Monday.

The two deputies joined 16 others, including some who lost their lives helping to prevent deaths, and will not only receive medals but will also be awarded financial grants. The Carnegie Medal is given to individuals in the U.S. and Canada who enter “extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others,” according to the commission.

“All the men and woman recognized today, in acts of extraordinary heroism, risked serious injury or death to save others,” the commission said.

Schwuchow and Bischoff were with their families on Aug. 27 during a day off when they saw two girls apparently struggling in the waters of Lake Michigan. The children’s stepmother ran into the lake in an effort to rescue them but could not reach the children, according to authorities.

Earlier that day, weather forecasters had warned of life-threatening waves and dangerous currents in the lake.

Alerted to the situation, Schwuchow and Bischoff immediately jumped into water and swam to the children. Both deputies reached the children and, as they were bringing them to shore, the group began to go under the water. The pair broke away from the children briefly to regain their breath and strength before continuing to pull them to shore.

Schwuchow and Bischoff also helped save the woman who was beginning to drown, according to authorities. Schwuchow instructed her on how to float on her back, comforting her by saying she would be back after they brought the children safely to shore. Schwuchow went back into Lake Michigan and was able to safely pull the woman ashore.

Sheriff David Zoerner said the deputies’ “selfless acts of bravery distinguish them as the highest caliber of public servants.”

“The level of heroism shown by these young deputies in this water rescue is astounding, knowing that during this endeavor, both believed they may not live through it, but pushed on to save the lives of a drowning family,” Zoerner said Monday night. “I am incredibly proud of them both and appreciate the recognition bestowed upon them by many and now by the Carnegie Hero Fund. The safety of our community is in very capable hands.”

Schwuchow and Bischoff have also been honored by American Legion Paul Herrick Post and the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, among others, according to the sheriff.

Schwuchow is assigned to the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics unit and is the first woman to serve on the department’s tactical response team. Bischoff a school resource officer at Wilmot High School.

According to Carnegie commission officials, the deputies will receive their awards later this year in a special local ceremony.

Medals have been awarded to 10,440 individuals since its inception in 1904 by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who established the fund after the Harwick Mine disaster, which claimed the lives of 181 people near Pittsburgh. Carnegie created the honor in helping “heroes of civilization” after being moved by those who made sacrifices in the tragedy, according to the commission.

In the 120 years since it began, nearly $45 million in grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance have been bestowed.