Iowa Firefighter Honored for Dramatic River Rescue

Des Moines Fire Department captain saves 7-year-old boy from Des Moines River

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:09am

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph showing the silhouette of a firefighter in a red uniform wading through a river, with the faint outline of a child in the foreground, all bathed in a warm, golden glow and soft, hazy bokeh.A heroic firefighter's dramatic river rescue brings recognition to the bravery and quick thinking of Iowa's first responders.Des Moines Today

An Iowa firefighter has been named a 'Hero of the Heartland' by the American Red Cross for rescuing a 7-year-old boy from the Des Moines River. Des Moines Fire Department Capt. Joe Van Haalen was one of the first to arrive on the scene and quickly jumped into the water to save the child.

Why it matters

Firefighters often put their own lives at risk to protect the public, and this dramatic river rescue highlights the bravery and quick thinking required in emergency situations. The award from the Red Cross brings well-deserved recognition to Van Haalen and the Des Moines Fire Department for their lifesaving actions.

The details

When the 7-year-old boy was found floating in the middle of the Des Moines River, Capt. Van Haalen wrapped a rope around his forearm, lowered himself into the water, and pulled the child to safety. Two other firefighters, Ben Wafful and Marco Matias, also assisted in the rescue effort.

  • The incident occurred in March 2026.
  • Last month, Capt. Van Haalen was presented the Medal of Honor, an achievement that hasn't been given out in more than a decade.

The players

Joe Van Haalen

A captain with the Des Moines Fire Department who rescued a 7-year-old boy from the Des Moines River.

Ben Wafful

A Des Moines firefighter who assisted in the river rescue.

Marco Matias

A Des Moines firefighter who assisted in the river rescue.

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What they’re saying

“I told my crew that day, as we were headed there and we could see the child floating down the river that I was going in. There was no way that we could leave him in this predicament that he was in.”

— Joe Van Haalen, Des Moines Fire Department Captain

The takeaway

This heroic river rescue demonstrates the bravery and quick thinking of the Des Moines Fire Department, who put their own safety at risk to save a child's life. The recognition from the American Red Cross is a well-deserved honor that highlights the lifesaving work firefighters perform every day.