A Menomonie man says he wants to thank the investigator who saved his life Saturday afternoon on Lake Menomin.

Erik Affolter was fishing with his family, when a bolt on the back of the boat's motor sheared off, causing the motor to spin out of control.

Jim Mikla, a Saint Croix County Sheriff Investigator, who was off-duty at the time, jumped to action when he saw Erik needed help.

What was supposed to be a fun day of fishing on the boat, turned tragic in just seconds.

Erik Affolter says, "I cranked it wide open. There was a bolt on the back of the motor and it sheared off completely. The motor spun whatever way it wanted."

Causing Erik to fall overboard and into the boat's path.

Erik Affolter says, "I was underneath and I saw the boat coming, the propeller and I put my hand up and it cut me and hit me in the head."

Erik's wife Cassie was on the boat at the time, and says the group's screams of help were ignored.

...Except by one person, Jim Mikla, an off-duty Saint Croix County Investigator.

Jim Mikla says, "When I got there I jumped over into their boat and grabbed the person's arm that was in the water."

Erik and Cassie say Mikla is their hero.

Erik Affolter says, "If nobody gives you a medal, you've got a medal in my heart."

Cassie Affolter says, "I would like to thank him very much because if it wasn't for him, I don't think he'd be able, Erik wouldn't be able to make it as far as he had."

But Mikla says he doesn't consider himself a hero.

Jim Mikla says, "I was just there to help someone in need and I think anyone in those circumstances would have done the same thing."

But Cassie says it takes someone special to help someone in need.

Cassie Affolter says, "He didn't have to because that was his day of relaxation."

Jim Mikla says, "They were calling for help, that's what any person would do, any normal person."

Erik says he did get back in the boat yesterday because he wanted to get over being scared of it.

He did have surgery on his thumb this morning, and still doesn't have his eyesight back in one eye, but is hoping for a complete recovery.