Sheriff's Office Honors Local Heroes

BOULDER, CO -- Individuals and organizations whose exceptional service, teamwork, heroism, and gallantry embodied the mission of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office in the last year were recognized last Saturday, Nov. 10.

Volunteer service was recognized with awards for Volunteer Excellence and Reserve Deputy of the Year. Sheriff’s Commendations, Teamwork Award of Excellence, Distinguished Unit Citations and Employees of the Year were awarded to sheriff's office employees or teams for distinguished or outstanding achievement in the line of duty or noteworthy performance. Six staff members earned the Meritorious Service Medal for long-term service excellence. Eight employees were awarded the Life Saving Medal, given to employees who, in the line of duty, took actions that directly saved a person’s life.

“We gather every year to celebrate the many accomplishments of our employees, and to recognize some outstanding community members, volunteers and partner agency contributions as well." said Sheriff Joe Pelle in a press release. "I love the stories, sometimes heartwarming, sometimes tragic, but always reflective of the skill, care and self-sacrifice of first responders and ordinary community members willing to give when tragedy or great difficulty arises."

Several community members and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group received Sheriff’s Commendations for either actions that helped the delivery of services in a public safety event, or for a specific event that enhanced the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office.

On April 10, 12-year-old George called 911 to report that his mother needed help. The pair had been hiking on the Bluebell-Baird Trail when his mother experienced a medical emergency. In George’s call to 911 he asked the dispatcher to send help, described the circumstance just before his mother fell ill, and was able to provide a location. After hanging up with the 911 operator, George phoned his father to let him know was happening. Throughout the rescue George provided reassurance and kindness to his mother. The sheriff's office noted that his quick action and ability to accurately communicate the details of the situation connected his mother with the medical and rescue resources needed.

On May 14, three Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees were parked near Mount Sanitas when they noticed one of their boat trailer tires was smoking. Two passerby, Nate Vanderschaaf and Sarah Jo Gates, stopped to see if they could help. Since their home was nearby, they decided to take the trailer there for repairs. In no time Vanderschaaf and Gates had the trailer jacked up, tire removed and the metal bent away from the tire. They replaced the failing tire and Vanderschaaf fixed the short in the trailer lights.

On July 22, Michael Sullivan had stopped for lunch near Isabelle Glacier when he heard screaming and looked up to see a hiker falling approximately 400 feet to rocks at the bottom of a nearby snowfield. The man, Jeff Sampson, sustained life-threatening injuries. Sullivan made his way over to assess the Sampson’s injuries, and made a rock chair for him to sit on. Before leaving the area to call for help, Sullivan used his trekking poles and rain jacket to create a marker at the top of the snowfield and used Sampson’s equipment to create protection from building storms. On his way down, Sullivan made contact with two other hikers, Tai Blue and Brendan Harrigan, who agreed to stay with Sampson while Sullivan hiked to the trailhead. Blue and Harrigan remained on scene with Sampson for more than five hours and two lightning storms. Sullivan hiked back to the scene with the rescuers, and stayed throughout the rescue. Throughout the day, he ended up running and hiking nearly 17 miles, with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet.

The sheriff's office also gave credit to Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, the oldest continually operating mountain rescue team in the United States. They have already surpassed the 180 calls for service in 2017 with over 220 calls this year to date.

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Photo credit: Mara Abbott/Patch