Wyoming man who saved woman and children from a hellish fate awarded highest civilian honor for heroism

A Wyoming man on Monday was awarded North America's highest civilian honor for heroism. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognized former oil worker Ryan Pasborg, 33, for risking life and limb last winter to save a young mother and her 4-year-old son from an inferno in James Town.

'He gave them a fighting chance'

On Feb. 1, 2022, Stephanie Wadsworth and her four young children — then ages 12, 8, 6, and 4 — were sleeping in their home on the block of Highway 374 in James Town when investigators suspect a child's malfunctioning hoverboard kindled a flame.

The fire spread quickly and burst out of the home's bedroom window, catching the eye of a passerby headed down 374.

Although running late for work on the oil field, Pasborg, of Rock Springs, noticed there were no emergency vehicles at the scene. In the way of help, he was it.

Pasborg didn't miss a beat. He rushed over to the house and called 911. As he pulled into the driveway, the derrickman spotted a young girl and two boys walking out of the house, according to the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Jason Mower with the SCSO said, "He didn't have time to think. He knew what he thought was the right thing to do and he acted," KSTU-TV reported at the time.

The oil man made his way into the burning home through the garage. Unable to see his way through on account of the thick smoke, Pasborg pulled himself forward on his hands and knees.

Several feet into the kitchen, he bumped up against a little figure: 4-year-old Weston Wadsworth. Pasborg grabbed the child and carried him outside. Since the windchill temperature was well below zero, Pasborg gathered the children together and set them in his truck to stay warm. Once the children were secure, Pasborg bolted back into the compromised structure to finish the job he had set out to do.

Again, Pasborg crawled through the kitchen and again he came across another crumpled figure, this time the children's scorched and suffocating mother. Pasborg dragged Stephanie outside and began performing CPR until life returned to her.

Cowboy State Daily reported that Stephanie Wadsworth suffered burns to 77% of her body and would certainly have perished were it not for Pasborg's quick intervention.

After reuniting the family, Pasborg got Stephanie Wadsworth and her children a safe distance away from the inferno and waited for first responders to arrive.

According to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, while Pasborg inhaled smoke, he didn't seek medical treatment.

Deputy Mower indicated that Pasborg's help did not end there. He later personally delivered "several hundred dollars' worth of clothing and necessities" to the family at their grandmother's house.

Sheriff John Grossnickle said, "Not only is it a blessing in its own right that Mr. Pasborg was in the right place at the right time, but his willingness without second thought to risk his own life to help save this family was the difference between life and death for this young mother and her child; he gave them a fighting chance."

"There are no words to adequately express the magnitude of Ryan's bravery other than he is a perfect example of what it means to be a real hero," added Grossnickle.

'Old-school hometown do-good people'

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office formally celebrated Pasborg's heroism in May 2022, indicating that the mother and child spared a fiery death were "well on their way down the road to recovery."

Pasborg also received a hero's welcome during the 2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo.

Green River Man Receives Standing Ovation At Cheyenne Frontier Daysyoutu.be

This week, Pasborg received the Carnegie Medal Award.

"This award is given for heroism that we don't see everyday," Jewels Phraner, a spokeswoman for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, told the Cowboy State Daily. "It is an award that represents the best of humanity and we love to recognize people who demonstrate that."

Pasborg, nominated for the award by the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office, indicated he didn't know what the medal was but was nevertheless honored to be recognized.

The hero's wife, Alexandria, told the Wyoming paper, "I get so emotional."

"My husband won't tell you, but that event took a toll on him mentally," said Alexandria. "He wakes up with nightmares sometimes. We are so thankful and grateful for this."

In addition to a $7,500 check and scholarship opportunities, the award will pay for the cost of medical expenses and mental health treatments Pasborg may have incurred in relation to the rescue.

Pasborg, who recently lost his oil job, said, "Both with Christmas just a week away and the bills, the timing was perfect."

Sheriff Grossnickle stressed the hero has maintained contact with the family since the rescue.

"I am honored to know someone like that," said Grossnickle. "Ryan is the example of what Wyoming is made of — the old-school hometown do-good people that make up our communities."

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