By the Corps of Engineers

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recognized a Geary County sheriff’s deputy and a Fort Riley Army soldier for heroism in Junction City, Kan. 

At the Geary County sheriff’s office, Milford Lake Park Manager Ken Wenger presented two ‘Act of Heroism’ awards to Pfc. Chance Harriss, stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., and from Sacramento, Calif., and Deputy Rick Parsons, from Junction City.

Ken Wenger, left, Milford Lake park manager, presented Geary Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Parsons and Pfc. Chance Harriss, stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., with ‘Act of Heroism’ awards at the Geary County Sheriff’s Office October 9, 2018. (Photo by Kansas City District)he citation, signed by Col. Doug Guttormsen, commander of the Kansas City District, reads:

On 29 April 2018, Chance Harriss and Deputy Rick Parsons demonstrated heroic effort at Milford Lake in Kansas. Mr. Harriss reacted quickly and assisted in helping two children whose float drifted from a cove into the main body of the lake. The unsolicited and benevolent actions displayed potentially saved the lives of these children visiting Milford Lake. Mr. Harriss’ and Deputy Parsons’ actions are in keeping with the spirit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers safety first and caring for the recreation public.

Ninety percent of the people who drown in Corps lakes are not wearing a lifejacket and these two young girls, 8 and 13 years old, were not. They were riding a flimsy raft that got carried out into the wide portion of the lake with the water at 55 degrees and steady winds of 12 miles per hour and gusts up to 25 miles per hour.

“I think they potentially saved these young girls’ lives by noticing their dangerous situation and rallying to get help to them,” said Wenger.