A Nacogdoches firefighter, who's also a Shelby County resident, was among a group of 16 firemen recognized last week for rescuing two women from a burning house a year ago.

Capt. Steven Gutermuth received the Medal of Courage during a reception last Thursday. Gutermuth and a fellow fireman, Clint Poole, entered a house in Nacogdoches on the afternoon of June 23, 2013, with near zero visibility, found heavy fire coming from a room, but continued down a hall to eventually reach 82-year old Mattie Coleman in a doorway.

She was taken to safety outside, but also found Ms. Coleman's daughter, 62-year old Sharon Teal, just inside the front door. Both were eventually transferred to Parkland Hospital burn unit in Dallas, with Ms. Coleman passed away.

Poole also was awarded the Medal of Courage. Capt. Gutermuth told me he works with some great guys, and while he’s honored to receive the award, what he and Poole did, was no different than what anyone else in that department would have done. He added, “It’s what we’re trained to do.”

Ms. Teal was in attendance at the ceremony last week, and Capt. Gutermuth said all were moved by being there.

Steven Gutermuth is a 1993 graduate of Timpson High School. He, and his wife, Stephanie Simmons Gutermuth, and their three children, reside near Timpson, where they also own and manage two poultry farms.

Nacogdoches Fire Capt. Steven Gutermuth receiving the Medal of Courage last week in Nacogdoches. (Courtesy photo)