Hero gets a little of his due

Fred Schau, battalion chief for the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, doesn't like to be in the spotlight.

He says he was merely doing his job last April when he guided his unit through the Fox River to rescue a pair of kayakers who were stranded there.

Yet the fire protection district awarded the unit's bravery and Schau's leadership with a commendation.

"I did my job … the guys that are really the heroes are the guys that work for me," he said.

Schau, a member of the Freeport First Free Methodist Church, also downplays his role in coordinating parishioners to help a local grandmother renovate and rid her house of lead, making it safe for her and her infant grandson.

"I didn't do that much," the 23-year-veteran firefighter said.

"America's Most Wanted" sees it differently.

Schau, 55, who lives west of Freeport in rural Stevenson County, has been nominated for the program's All Star Award 2008.

There will be eight finalists total and there are two open spots left -- you can vote for Schau once a day now through April 13 by going to www.amw.com/allstar.

The award honors first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics and others "who go above and beyond to keep our communities safe every year," according to the contest's Web site.

The eventual winner gets $10,000 and a weekend at the NASCAR Sprint Cups Series' All-Star Challenge next month in Charlotte, N.C.

There are 222 nominees online at the moment, officials said.

Fellow church member Kelly Bradley already knew Schau's devotion to his job, as evidenced by his 180-mile round-trip commute.

But her heart melted when Schau organized the church to do something about the lead-riddled home.

That inspired Bradley to nominate Schau for the program.

"He's a vital member of our church and we rely on him a lot," said Bradley, director of the church's adult ministry and a Freeport resident. "He's the best of the best."

Though Schau is flattered, he's uncomfortable about the nomination at the same time, particularly when so many other firefighters often go unheralded.

They too, should be given their due, he said.

"In the fire service there's people that risk their lives on the jobs quite often," he said. "There's guys that have been injured and maybe had career-ending injuries. I'm just trying to put it in perspective."