"Without him I wouldn't be here:" Army Reserve soldier honored for his quick, selfless actions

MILWAUKEE -- A local Army Reserve soldier was honored Wednesday, December 2nd for his quick and selfless actions a year ago. That's when he intervened during a domestic violence situation.

Kurt St. Martin calls himself a typical man. But he's April Lampy's hero.

Kurt St. Martin

"Without him, I wouldn't be here," said Lampy.

Their lives collided last year in Kenosha, when Lampy was being attacked by her then-boyfriend, Russell Rose. St. Martin heard the screams from next door.

"When I opened the door, I heard how frantic she was screaming and I started to step out and I heard the baby crying and it was kind of over. I was going no matter what because the baby was involved." said St. Martin.

Lampy was holding her 11-month-old daughter when Rose threw the baby to the ground, killing her. St. Martin arrived just in time to save Lampy.

Kurt St. Martin pinned with the Civilian Humanitarian Service Medal

"It's so hard to describe how you feel about somebody who ultimately saved your life," said Lampy.

"I don't really feel like I did anything abnormal. I feel like I did anything anybody else would do," said St. Martin.

But not everyone steps up in someone else's time of need.

"And that's why we're here to honor him and to celebrate his example of courage and action," said Maj. Gen. Karen LeDoux.

Surrounded by his family, friends and Kenosha first responders, St. Martin was pinned with the Civilian Humanitarian Service Medal and presented with a certificate of honor for his bravery.

"It's an honor. Not something I expected, but it's definitely an honor," said St. Martin.

A local army reserve soldier was honored Wednesday, December 2nd for his quick and selfless actions a year ago.

His wife, Jessica, was also honored for her bravery that night. She called 911 and rendered aid to Lampy and her daughter.

Kurt St. Martin and April Lampy

"These actions may not make headlines, but they required great courage, strength, selflessness at a tremendous personal cost," said  Maj. Gen. Karen LeDoux.

These two families who were merely neighbors a year ago are now forever connected.

Russell Rose was found guilty of a long list of charges, including first degree intentional homicide and false imprisonment.

His sentencing will happen Thursday, December 3rd in Kenosha.