How to vote for Phil and Austin
Thank you for those who have commented and voted. Voting is now closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of our Hero of the Month for February.
Be sure to read all our heroes’ stories here.
Corporal Phil Arnzen and Deputy Austin Smith are nominated for their bravery, courage, and for going above the call. Both were dispatched to an accident call to where the vehicle had left the road, overturning into a ditch full of water. One of the occupants from the car was pinned under the vehicle, placing them under water, trying to keep their head above it.
Arnzen and Smith then paged for the local volunteer fire department. With no time to wait for the other medical units to arrive, both officers decided to lift the car off the victim, being only option left to save a life. They were able to lift and move the 2,800 pound vehicle, in fact saving the victim’s life. Corporal Arnzen and Deputy Smith were both awarded a Certificate for Valor and Bravery for their actions.
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Phil is my nephew, and I am very proud of him. If he made up his mind to move a vehicle, believe me, that vehicle would move! Phil served in the USAF for 6 years in a couple of those “sandbox” countries. He has a metal shoulder as a result. The rest of Phil is even harder than that shoulder. Good job !!
I know Cpl. Arnzen’s Uncles, father and most of his other family members. It’s not surprising to me that he is a Hero. His Uncles, his father and other family members have always put others safety ahead of theirs. His family is filled with brave men and women just like him.
I really don’t understand what we are voting for though, we should not have to vote for who the “better” person, cop etc… is. Both these young men deserve to be recognized.
Great job to both. I know it won’t be the last time we hear their names mentioned in a category such as this. I know their families are proud of them and the citizens should be very thankful that they have men of their caliber on the force!!
So proud of my brother in law Phil Arnzen
I had the pleasure of working with Phil Arnzen in the past, he is a man well deserving of an honor such as this. I would love to vote for him & Austin Smith.
I am not sure I know Deputy Smith, however I am sure considering this story that he is a good and decent officer of the law. I know the Arnzen family and Phil. They are a family with many members in Law Enforcement and I know them all to be good people. Great job guys!
Great way to recognize two heroes that saved a life!!! That is what going above and beyond the call of duty is all about!!! Wonderful deputies!!!!
Congratulaions Austin. We are proud of you a big Hug and pat on the back Continue making us PROUD!!!!
Great job
All I can say is great job Gentlemen!
Phil I’m very proud of you!!!
These two guys are awesome! I am glad there are ways to honor our heroes out there. Thanks for your hard work and dedication Phil and Austin!
It is an honor to know both of these men and be considered their friend. In the past when I was working in their county, I would see them frequently. That is no longer the case and I miss seeing them and their other fellow officers. All are a great bunch of people. I agree with the gentlemen when he said that “why are we having to choose between the two of them?” As for me, I vote for both of them. However, I feel that if it were any of the other officers that responded to the scene, that they would have attempted and most likely done the same thing as Phil and Austin did. However, I commend both men for their actions to save the occupant(s) of this car.
I have always admired the Lewis County Sheriffs Department! Great people doing a difficult but rewarding job.
As a Father I couldn’t be more proud of my Son, Philip. You and Austin performed extraordinary physical acts by lifting a full size car off of a man that was pinned beneath it in freezing water and would have either died from drowning or hypothermia had you not acted in such a heroic manner. You both acted without hesitation and saved a life. Exceptional valor and heroism. Philip tore a ligament in his knee during the rescue, but you won’t hear him complain about it.
My other Son, Joshua, also works for the Sheriff’s Office and I’m equally proud of him.
May God watch over you and all the brave men and women who serve their communities with honor and distinction.
Philip and Austin, you two are amazing young men. Everyday you work in a profession that makes you a hero or a villain depending on the situation. Your selfless act of heroism and incredible strength, lifting a full size car off a drowning man pinned under the car in a creek, thus saving his life, shows the people of Lewis County and nation that you put the safety and welfare of others before yourselves and are the true meaning of a HERO and Law Enforcement Officer.
Philip and Joshua Arnzen are my sons, both being Law Enforcement Officers for Lewis County Sheriffs Office. I tell everyone how proud I am of them, but this is my chance to tell them; ” I am so proud of you both!”
Law Enforcement is the most frustrating, challenging, and exciting profession because you are serving people and making a positive difference in their lives.
Philip, Austin and Joshua, God Bless you and Thank-you for being the exceptional young men you are.
Great Job, Philip and Austin. I know that the fine deputies of the Lewis County Sheriff’s office put their lives on the line everyday. Proud of you all!
An astonishing heroic act, I am truly proud of you both. Thank you for all that you do for others, putting the value of other’s lives above your own takes a high caliber of individual with a thick skin for criticism.
I am proud to have such a brave and all around amazing husband and father to our child, protecting and serving our community in such a honorable and dedicated manner. He continues to amaze me and helps me grow as a person with his exceptional integrity and ability to handle extraordinary situations.
Our great community has an exceptional group of deputies keeping us safe.
Thank you to all who posted such kind and heartfelt words!
Great Job!!!
Philip Arnzrn and Austin Smith are two fine Officers that exemplify the true meaning of the Heroes, Law Enforcement Officers are and are called to be everyday.
Their selfless concern, for the lives of others, was evident when they developed super human strength to lift a full size vehicle when faced with a life and death situation and saved the live of a drowning man. I know if faced with a similar situation they would not hesitate to perform such a heroic act again .
Brothers, Philip and Joshua Arnzen are both Lewis County Deputies and I am their mother. I am very proud of the fine officers, men and fathers you are.
May God Bless You and Keep You Safe!