During Police Week, the Storm Lake Police Department is recognizing a Storm Lake Radio employee whose quick action helped save a co‑worker’s life.
The department presented Office Manager Kirk Langner with its Lifesaving Medal during a visit to the station yesterday morning.
Police Chief Chris Cole presented the medal to Langner at his desk, reading from the official citation.
The incident happened on Dec. 11 of last year, when Storm Lake Radio Account Executive Megan Molseed went into sudden cardiac arrest at work. Co‑workers called for help, and Langner — a certified EMT — immediately began CPR until officers arrived.
Cole says the department’s Lifesaving Medal has existed for decades, but it’s rare for civilians to receive it. The medal is typically reserved for police officers, but it’s awarded to civilians in the uncommon moments when their actions directly prevent a death.
This year, only two people in the entire community are receiving the award — a City of Storm Lake Assistant Public Services Director Jason Hoffman, and Langner.
Cole says the recognition is also a reminder that in emergencies, action matters.
For Langner, the award is meaningful — but he says the outcome was the result of teamwork, not one person.
Langner says his EMT training began years ago, sparked by a Boy Scouts CPR badge and strengthened by his desire to serve the community. He says early, high‑quality CPR is often the difference between life and death.
He encourages more people to get trained.
Langner has worked at Storm Lake Radio for more than eight years, moving from board operator to on‑air host to office manager. He says he’s grateful for the recognition — but even more grateful that Molseed survived and recovered.
Assistant Police Chief Patrick Diekman says honoring Langner during National Police Week is fitting — because the week is also about thanking the community.
For Langner, the award is less about recognition and more about the outcome — a co‑worker who survived, and a moment when training, teamwork and timing aligned exactly when they were needed most.
