Des Moines, IA (KICD)– An Emmetsburg High School graduate was honored on Monday for his efforts to save a man and his dog from house fire last year.

A.J. Krieg received the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for going above and beyond last November after coming across the burning structure north of Cylinder.

Krieg says he originally yelled the homeowner’s name multiple times with no response which led to his thinking that he was too late.

Even a year later, Krieg says his heroic actions have not fully set in.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards were presented at the State Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines. The ceremony can be viewed on the Iowa State Patrol Facebook page.