Otter Tail County Highway Maintenance Worker Jeff Ratz, left, and Commissioner Dan Bucholz at the Oct. 13 Board of Commissioners meeting. (OTC)
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, Minn. (KFGO-KBRF) – A quick stop for an ice cream cone turned into a lifesaving moment for an Otter Tail County highway maintenance worker.
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recognized Jeff Ratz for helping a choking person at a local convenience store while on his break.
The County says that on September 2, Ratz was finishing his workday hauling shoulder mix, the gravel used to build up the edges of roads. He decided to take his break at a local convenience store and get an ice cream cone.
While he waited in line, Ratz noticed a person choking. He stepped in and performed the Heimlich maneuver. Ratz removed a piece of chicken from the person’s windpipe. His quick actions most likely saved the person’s life.
“His actions demonstrate that being a Highway Department employee is about more than maintaining roads and equipment — it’s about looking out for others and making a positive difference where the opportunity arises,” said Colby Palmersheim, highway maintenance superintendent.
At the October 13 meeting, commissioners thanked Ratz for his quick thinking and fast response and presented him with a commendation plaque.
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