Brothers recognized for helping save trooper’s home

Master Trooper Eric Williams still hasn’t been able to move back into his house on Daisy Lane since the fire last November, but Wednesday, he honored two boys for saving it from being a total loss.

“If you guys had not done that, they (firefighters) said in five or 10 minutes the whole house would’ve been gone,” he told Caleb, 6, and Austin, 13 before presenting with plaques recognizing their quick actions. “Because you guys did this, we didn’t lose anything that I can’t replace.”

Williams home sustained fire damage on November 30 from a fire that had originated in the kitchen.

Williams and his two sons and the family dog had left their home the evening of November 30 to go to his new wife’s home near Salem. A short time after leaving, Williams received a phone call that his home was on fire.

The decorated Indiana State Police SWAT officer remembered thinking that it likely wasn’t too bad as he drove back to Jasper but when he called into the fire department, he was told that there were flames shooting out the windows.

“I fully expected to get there and find bricks and ashes,” Williams said.

Fortunately, through the actions of the brothers and a nearby off duty Jasper Police Officer, the quick call for assistance got the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department there in time to prevent the home from burning to the ground.

That evening, Austin was delivering items in the neighborhood for a fundraiser for the Jasper Middle School’s Washington D.C. trip. Caleb was also tagging along with his brother when the two saw smoke pouring from the home.

Austin sent his brother running home to get his phone to call 9-1-1 while he looked for help in the neighborhood. Fortunately, Austin met up with Officer Dakota Foote who called in the fire.

Jasper Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang told Williams that they were about five minutes from the fire making its way into the attic of the home. “He said if the fire had gotten up in the rafters, it would have taken the whole house,” Williams said.

Not only did the quick action keep Williams from losing his home, but it also saved many of his family keepsakes from being damaged. Items like a large framed photograph of his father’s boot camp company from World War II and a photo of the ship his father came home on after the war ended in Europe as well as a large photo of Williams’ boot camp company from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps came away unscathed.

Williams credits his father, Sgt. James Williams, and his uncles and their service as inspiration for his own decision to join the Marines straight out of high school.

In addition to this memorialbelia, two stuffed turkeys that Williams and his son, Chase, bagged were also saved.

A special cookbook titled “Cookin’ with Grandma Jessie” that held family recipes from Williams’ aunt was also saved even though it was in the kitchen during the fire. “She helped raise me,” Williams said.

The post put in an application for a state recognition for the two boys but it was declined so Williams decided to put something together on his own.

The two plaques are specially designed in the shape of the Indiana State Police patrol car insignia. Under the boys’ names is a special insignia representing Williams SWAT service.

The shield crossed by a lightning bolt with attached wings is awarded to SWAT officers after their first year of service and after five years of service, it can be worn as a part of their uniforms while in service.

During the presentation, Post Commander Jason Allen commended the two boys and told them they had a bright future ahead of them. “If you want to join the Indiana State Police, get in touch with me,” he said.

While thanking the two boys, Caleb pointed out that he had ran so fast to get a phone that he had fallen and scraped his knees.

“Well, if I had known that, I would have put you in for a Purple Heart,” Williams quipped.

As part of the day’s events, Williams presented them with Indiana State Police patches and took them on a tour of the station after enjoying some pizza and soda.

The two boys are the sons of Daniel and Lisa Wren. Mr. Wren is a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at the Jasper Armory.

Daniel said he was proud that the boys took action immediately to help.

“If you guys had not done that, they said in five or 10 minutes the whole house would’ve been gone,” Williams told the boys. “Because you guys did this, we didn’t lose anything that I can’t replace.”

Austin told reporters that he took action because he knew if his own house was on fire, he would want someone to do something to help.