Urbandale Honors Fire Chief and 11-Year-Old for Lifesaving Actions

Separate incidents recognized at city ceremony for acts of bravery and quick thinking

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:20am

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The City of Urbandale, Iowa recognized an off-duty fire battalion chief and an 11-year-old girl and her aunt for separate lifesaving actions. Battalion Chief Mike Gentosi was awarded the department's Medal of Valor for pulling a woman back from an overpass and preventing her from jumping. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Mya Cannon and her aunt Alexis Newton received the city's Lifesaving Award for rescuing a young child from a pool.

Why it matters

These awards highlight the importance of community members being alert and willing to take action in emergency situations. The incidents demonstrate the value of quick thinking and bravery in saving lives, as well as the role that first responders and everyday citizens can play in protecting public safety.

The details

According to Fire Chief Mike Cardwell, Gentosi was driving on Interstate 35 when he saw a woman threatening to jump from an overpass. He rushed to the scene and pulled the woman back from the edge, preventing her from jumping. When she tried to jump again as officers arrived, Gentosi restrained her to keep her from going over. Mya Cannon and her aunt Alexis Newton were recognized for rescuing a young child who was in distress in a pool. Cannon noticed the child and helped move him toward the edge, where Newton was able to pull him from the water.

  • The incident involving Battalion Chief Gentosi occurred on an unspecified date.
  • The pool rescue by Mya Cannon and Alexis Newton took place on an unspecified date.
  • The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Mike Gentosi

An off-duty Urbandale fire battalion chief who pulled a woman back from jumping off an overpass and prevented her from taking her own life.

Mya Cannon

An 11-year-old girl who noticed a child in distress in a pool and helped move the child to safety, where her aunt was able to pull the child from the water.

Alexis Newton

The aunt of Mya Cannon who pulled a young child from a pool after Cannon helped move the child to the edge of the pool.

Mike Cardwell

The Urbandale Fire Chief who recounted Gentosi's actions and presented him with the Medal of Valor.

Bob Andeweg

The Mayor of Urbandale who addressed Mya Cannon and Alexis Newton during the awards ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“Honor, not the man who can merely save your flesh, but I'd say honor the one who can save your soul and give a life eternal.”

— Mike Gentosi, Fire Battalion Chief

“That's something that's going to obviously stay with you for the rest of your life. Thank you for everything you've done. Thank you both for doing such a life-saving procedure.”

— Bob Andeweg, Mayor of Urbandale

“I'm really happy that I was there to see him, and I was happy that I was there to save him, and I'm just really honored.”

— Mya Cannon

“I am really proud of her for being aware of her surroundings. I'm really grateful that I was there in that moment to jump in and take action as fast as I did as soon as she noticed a child in need.”

— Alexis Newton

What’s next

The city of Urbandale plans to hold an annual awards ceremony to recognize acts of bravery and lifesaving by community members.

The takeaway

These incidents demonstrate the importance of being alert and willing to take action in emergency situations. Both the fire chief and the young girl showed quick thinking and courage that saved lives, highlighting the role that first responders and everyday citizens can play in protecting public safety.