GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks County Sheriff is commending the work of Deputy Cameron Bridger. His quick thinking is being credited with saving a hostage's life in an incident that also led to the death of the alleged assailant.

Sheriff Andy Schneider has been with the department for nearly two decades, including several years on the SWAT team. He said the team trains several times a year for what he said is the most unique circumstance for which SWAT trains — rescuing a hostage.

The sheriff can't recall a time during his career when SWAT had to rescue a hostage in the Grand Forks area. That changed Friday, Dec. 5, and the hostage was rescued before SWAT could even be called.

"Not even 3 seconds, if that, to make a decision on how to save a hostage's life," Schneider said.

That three s

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