(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE, Wash. -The sheriff's office had the chance to say thank you to a Spokane man Wednesday night who was there for one of their deputies, and it all started with a ride.
Last month we introduced you to 79-year-old Paul Eminger. The South Hill man happened to be in the right place at the right time, driving up in his SUV and offering a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy a ride to help catch up to a man he was chasing, and with his help, was able to take the suspect safely into custody.
Eminger said he was just doing what anyone one else would do in his place.
Wednesday at their Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards, the sheriff's office had the chance to say thank you to Eminger. He received the Outstanding Citizen award from Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich for stepping up and helping the deputy at the moment he needed it.
Finding out he was being honored, Eminger said he was overwhelmed.
"I hope other people can see that small gestures even get recognized," he said. "You pay it forward, you get it back."
And it wasn't just the sheriff's office. Eminger was also recognized by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers for his efforts.