MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis firefighter is among eight finalists in the running to win the $10,000 grand prize of the America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest.
Second-generation Firefighter Jacob LaFerriere was selected by the public to reach the final round, which will be concluded by voting to determine the winner beginning April 21.
A near-death experience inspired Firefighter LaFerriere to talk to and encourage burn victims, and send several injured children to a burn camp.
In July, Firefighter LaFerriere was part of a search time inside a burning home when an explosion threw him across a room and he was forced to bail from a third-story window.
He suffered a broken ankle, torn ligaments in his knee and third- and fourth-degree burns to his hands, resulting in months of painful treatments and physical therapy.
After public voting decides the winner of the contest, the check for $10,000 will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The other seven finalists all serve in law enforcement capacities, including one police officer who is also a firefighter and paramedic.