A local state patrol inspector realizes a life-long dream and saves a life.

Randy Yeakey of Bloomer was honored this week at the state capitol. He started his career almost 20 years ago. His goal has always been to save someone

"The award is in addition to the fact that Mark (the victim) lived and that's the most important thing. But, the award is special. It really is. To receive it from the state patrol is a very big honor," Yeakey says.

Yeakey was patrolling near Boyceville in April when he came upon a truck that had rolled over. He could see the driver still hanging in his seat belt so he smashed the windshield, cut the seat belt and got him out. The next day he visited that man in the hospital.

"For my crash victims at crash scenes I always give out a teddy bear and I didn't have a chance that day,” Yeakey says. “So, I took Mark a teddy bear that next morning to find out his condition, to make sure he was ok and just to tell him that I was hoping for a full recovery."

Inspector Yeakey says over his 19 years on the road, he's given out 50 to 75 teddy bears. He says it helps comfort victims. He now proudly wears his life-saving pin on his uniform.

We talked to the Yeakey saved. He says he's not sure what caused him to pass out behind the wheel in April. But, he's glad the inspector wasn't too far away that day.