07/15/2026
I have a tendency to overstate things, but I’ll try to keep this short and to the point.
To say that I’m proud to work with Mike Barnes would be an understatement. I spoke to Mike about this incident a couple of times after it was over and in usual fashion, he didn’t think that what he did was that big of a deal. All I kept thinking was that it was a big deal to the woman involved in this accident. He agreed.
Mike was one of the first people who started to look after me when I joined Elizabethtown, almost 18 years ago. He showed his willingness and dedication to helping people in our community, both on the calls and away from them.
He is a humble man, so he didn’t seek any of the attention that this has brought. I’m glad to see him get recognition for doing a seemingly unexceptionable thing. Many will praise him, deservedly so. Some will question or criticize about a situation that they know nothing about.
In the end, Mike responded to a call for help, as a volunteer. He helped someone out of a critical situation, when they needed him; acting almost completely on his own. He made the right decisions in a high stress situation. He made a difference.
When we joked about his new found “fame” in all of this, he only said that in a world full of bad news he was glad that something good was being talked about. He is absolutely right. He just didn’t think it would be about him.
To Mike, and the many men and women like him, thank you for responding to the call. Thank you for helping your community when they need it most. Thank you for responding to an extraordinary situation and making it seem like just another day. The public needs to see more of this to truly appreciate what first responders do for their communities.
I hope I’m able to do Mike and the many volunteers across the country some justice with this post. Support your local volunteers.
Chief, Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Firefighter and Reserve Deputy Responds to Victim Ran Over by Vehicle
On July 07, 2026, Reserve Deputy Michael Barnes, who was acting in his capacity as an Elizabethtown Volunteer Firefighter, responded to assist with a reported traffic accident. Deputy Barnes arrived first on scene and located a female victim who had been partially run over and become trapped between the front wheel and the wheel-well of a pickup truck. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Deputy Barnes located a floor jack on scene and used it to lift the truck, expanding the space between the wheel and the wheel-well enough to allow the victim to be freed from entrapment.
Deputy Barnes' quick thinking and decisive action during this emergency prevented the victim from sustaining further injury. His response reflects a strong commitment to public service and the safety of the community he serves.
“I am proud of having Reserve Deputy Barnes, and I appreciate his volunteer service as both a Reserve Deputy and a firefighter. He is a valuable asset to our agency, and Bartholomew County is lucky to have him as a public servant,” said Sheriff Chris Lane.
