Des Moines man rushed into burning home twice to save his elderly neighbors
On December 7, 2024, John Wonio spotted flames at his neighbor's house in Des Moines, called 911, and helped a police officer break down the front door. He guided one resident who had just had cataract surgery to safety by calling out to her through the smoke. When he discovered an unconscious woman still inside, Wonio re-entered the burning home and dragged her to safety. She was hospitalized for over two weeks for smoke inhalation, a collapsed lung, and carbon monoxide poisoning before being released just before Christmas. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds honored Wonio with the Lifesaving with Valor Award at the State Capitol in December 2025.
Honored by Map of Heroes — recognized here from public reporting.
Added June 12, 2026
Tributes
Kind words left for John Wonio by people their story has touched.
No tributes yet — be the first to leave one.
Leave a tribute
Add your own thank-you to John Wonio’s page — it takes a minute and means a lot.
Know a hero in Des Moines, IA?
Put them on the map next to John Wonio — a one-time $5 nomination that keeps their story here for everyone to find.
Nominate a HeroMore neighbor heroes
All neighbor heroes →Neighbor
Meagan Murray
New Hampton, IA
Iowa mail carrier saved 85-year-old woman trapped in a burning home on her route
Read their story →Neighbor
Matthew Buchan
Manchester, NH
Manchester neighbor leaped a fence and fought off attacking dogs to save an 8-year-old boy
Read their story →Neighbor
Thomas Mann
Temecula, CA
Temecula lifeguard stopped at a gas station and performed CPR on a stranger, saving his life
Read their story →