By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
The Okarche Police Department’s open house celebration kicked off with a ceremony to honor two boys for their efforts to save a lost toddler earlier this year.
Lieutenant Kyle Bridges and Chief Forrest Smith called Boston Kremeier and Austin Burhenn to the front of the conference room. Bridges read a report of the incident to those in attendance.
“On April 27 around 1240 hours (12:40 p.m.) officer Holguin received information that two young boys found a small child near the Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 2nd Street and Missouri,” Bridges read.
“The boys, identified as Austin Burhenn and Boston Kremeier, took immediate action in locating an adult and asking them to call 911. Austin and Boston remained with the child until officer Holguin arrived. Austin and Boston’s immediate actions prevented further accidents and or injuries to the young three-year-old child. A canvas of the area was conducted and the young child was reunited with his parents. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, roughly 800,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States. That’s roughly 2,000 children per day. On April 27, 2019, Austin and Boston’s quick actions prevented this number from increasing. It is with great pleasure to award Austin and Boston with a certificate of appreciation for outstanding citizenship.”
The two boys received a certificate of recognition, a medal and a commemorative coin along with an OPD patch for their service.
“We appreciate what you guys did that day,” Smith said. “I know Officer Cruz (Holguin) who you talked to was very grateful.”
Smith urged the boys to encourage others to do good in their community.
“Make sure you spread the word to other kids that when we do good things, we get rewarded,” he said. “That’s how we operate here.”
Boston and Austin said they were walking near Holy Trinity Catholic School when they spotted the little boy. They asked him where his mom or dad was.
“He said he was looking for his sisters and friends,” Boston said.
The boy ran off to a park nearby and Boston and Austin followed him. The boy then asked for his father and ran away again.
Both boys said it was a good feeling to help someone and be honored for their deed.
“It felt really good,” Austin said.
“Awesome,” Boston agreed.
The boys’ parents were surprised to hear the tale of the lost child. Amber Kremeier was at the Burhenn home when her husband Lee called and said the police were there because the pair had found a lost baby.
“I was pretty proud of them,” Lee Kremeier said. “I was pretty amazed by it all.”
The event at the police station drew a crowd of onlookers who shook hands with the boys and toured the building.
The station features a kitchen area, offices, a reception area, conference room and storage space for equipment and evidence.
Okarche’s 4-H club served cookies and Okarche firefighters cooked hotdogs for the event.
