For risking his life last summer to help save his neighbor and his burning house, National Guard Staff Sgt. Troy Spear of Black Hawk will be awarded the South Dakota Ribbon of Valor

He will receive the award during an 11 a.m. ceremony Tuesday, June 10, at the Range Road Armory, according to a news release from the Guard.

Spear serves as a noncommissioned training officer for the Guard's 82nd Civil Support Team in Rapid City.

Maj. Gen. Steven Doohen, the adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard, will present the award. The honor can be given to South Dakota National Guard soldiers for heroism in civilian life.

About 8 p.m. on July 10, 2007, Spear heard a fire alarm and noticed smoke pouring from the bathroom window of his neighbor's mobile home.

His wife, Samantha, called 911 while Spears ran next door and helped Ben Roose out of the house.

Spears then took the neighbor's garden hose and started spraying water on the fire. When another neighbor arrived, Spear got him to hold the hose while he got Roose to the other side of the house.

Spear then used a garden hose from his home to spray water into the burning bathroom area until the local fire department arrived.

Both Spear and Roose were treated for smoke inhalation.

"Most of the house sustained smoke damage, but most of my belongings were salvageable, and I know it's because of Troy's efforts," Roose said.