BURNETT COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) - A 12-year-old boy from Wisconsin has been recognized with a Hero Award for his quick thinking and bravery during a bear attack that occurred in early September. Owen Beierman received the award on Oct. 19, 2024, from the Burnett County Sheriff's Office, following an incident on Sept. 7. Owen and his father were on a hunting trip, hoping to harvest a bear, when the situation took a dramatic turn. Driver in Wisconsin dies after hitting a deer on State Highway 130, passenger hospitalized After the bear was shot, it charged at them and attacked Owen's father, leaving him badly injured. According to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office, Owen reacted swiftly and with composure. Despite the chaos, he cleared a weapon malfunction, took aim, and shot the bear, ultimately saving his father's life. One person dead, one injured following crash between a motorcycle and minivan in Wisconsin The sheriff's office praised Owen's courage, stating that most people would freeze or panic in such a situation. "Owen is built different," they noted, commending the young hunter for his calm and decisive actions. Authorities said that while law enforcement officers train for high-stress situations, Owen demonstrated remarkable poise at just 12 years old, with "ice water in his veins and love in his heart." The sheriff’s office concluded by calling him a true hero with a bright future ahead.