It’s true that heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Take Don Machacek, a highway first responder and member of AFSCME Local 2792. This week, he raced to rescue a mom and her two kids as their car was sinking into a pond along I-35W in Richfield. The Star Tribune reports that water was seeping in, filling the front seat nearly to the roof, leaving only enough air space for the passengers to keep their heads above water. Then, Don responded to their 911 call for help. He just knew, “I have to save these people.” He radioed his boss and said, “I’m going in.” Don pulled the door open and helped the family safely to shore. Watch the video of this heroic rescue.

The mom, Stella Obidaya, was taking her kids to Valleyfair when she misjudged the location of her exit and plowed her Toyota Camry into the pond at 55 mph. She couldn’t swim. But thanks to Don, Stella and her 8-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter were rescued without requiring any medical attention.

Don is part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Freeway Incident Response Safety Team. Their yellow trucks are a welcome sight for any motorist in danger. They deliver gas to stranded drivers, change flat tires, call tow trucks and guide traffic around accidents. They’re also often first on the scene to help accident victims.

Don doesn’t think the rescue is a big deal. He says, “I was only doing my job…I love my job. I love helping people.” Council 5 applauds Don Machacek and all the public workers who do extraordinary things every day to take care of Minnesotans.