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AP Photo planned Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Three North Dakota Highway Patrol officers have been honored for their work in rescuing a woman from a lake and a chase involving Alabama prison suspects.

Troopers Megan Christopher and Ben Kennelly and Sgt. Bryan Niewind were given the patrol's distinguished service medal Thursday.

Patrol Superintendent Mark Nelson said Christopher was involved in the arrest of four armed fugitives from Alabama, and chased their sport utility vehicle on Interstate 94. He said shots fired from the SUV struck the visor and passenger-side headrest of Christopher's vehicle but she was not hurt.

The suspects were arrested after a nearly 14-hours standoff on a ranch near Gladstone.

Kennelly and Niewind were honored for helping rescue Sara Gullickson, a Valley City State College student, after her car plunged into a lake.

Information from: KCND-FM, http://www.prairiepublic.org (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-02-09 1701CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list