Wall Volunteer Firefighters Awarded Medal of Valor

WALL, TX — Several members of the Wall Volunteer Fire Department were recently awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions during the July 4 flooding last year.

The men recognized were Swift Water Crew members Jake Powers, Ryan Born and Luke Wilkes, Shallow Water/Shore Crew members Garrison Michalwicz, Nick Ramirez, Justin Nava and Phillip Fett, and Incident Commander John Manera.

According to the Wall VFD, the men rescued a resident whose vehicle had been washed away by an unexpected surge of water over a roadway.

The victim was trapped in her car more than 100 feet off the roadway in a “flood-developed angry river” as raging water rose to over 10 feet.

Without the protection of rescue devices or swift water rescue training, the firefighters immediately donned lightweight personal floatation devices and worked their way toward the victim. The other firefighters then used ropes to save the victim and rescuers from the rapidly moving water that had developed in the farm field.

“The actions of all these members with assistance from other fire and law enforcement agencies tested the bravery of these members which saved the life of the victim and safely removed the rescuers from this deadly flooding situation,” the Wall VFD stated in a Facebook post. 

“The actions of the following personnel reflect their dedication to the safety of all citizens of Wall Texas and bring credit on themselves, the Wall Volunteer Fire Department and all response agencies in Tom Green County, Texas.”