Boulder County Sheriff's Office Holds Annual Awards Ceremony

Recipients of awards included staff, volunteers and community members

Boulder County, Colo. - This year marks the 25th year that the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has formally recognized team members, volunteers, partner agencies and individuals in the community whose exceptional service, teamwork, heroism, or gallantry in the line of duty embodies the mission and values of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff's Office's Annual Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday. 

 

Five Sheriff’s Commendations were awarded to non-employees whose actions aided in the delivery of services, or enhanced the effectiveness of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Megan Hottman, known in the cycling community as “The Cyclist Lawyer,” is arguably the premiere legal authority on anything cyclist related. Megan provides bicycling law training to law enforcement officers, and trained over 100 sheriff’s deputies this past year at no cost.

 

Paul “PJ” Johnson was honored with a Sheriff’s Commendation. PJ was the driving force behind the planning and implementation of the Rescue Task Force concept which incorporates both law enforcement and medical response on high risk deployments.

 

During the past couple of years, Doug Lyle has offered his helicopter services to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to assist us in search operation for missing people. This year alone, he has assisted us in three searches. Mr. Lyle has never charged for his services, because he considers this his way of giving back to his community.

 

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Nathan Parks has displayed exemplary service on many occasions not only in his role as a Trooper to the State of Colorado, but in his support of other public safety agencies within the County of Boulder.

 

The day after Christmas 2014, Seth Brunkow delivered firewood to a mountain family quickly running out of fuel to heat their home. Seth’s father is a Sheriff’s Office deputy whose on duty contact revealed the family’s dire situation.

 

The significant contributions of five volunteers were recognized with the award of Volunteer Excellence: Linda Clark, Reserve Deputy Dan Hershman, Reserve Deputy Stephen Meer, Bill Perkins and Phil West. Their contributions ranged from warrant confirmations, coordinating the Citizens’ Academy, updating the Mobile Command Post, range training, helping with Drug Take Back Day and many, many more contributions which aided the department in carrying out the mission of providing efficient and effective public safety services.

 

Dr. Marc Bekoff was honored as the Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Bekoff is a Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at CU, and is an ambassador for Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program. Approximately 5,000 inmates have participated in his classes over the last 15 years. Most recently, he was responsible for coordinating a jail visit from Doctor Jane Goodall. His convictions and strong beliefs have transformed the lives of those who have had the privilege of being in his classes.

 

Pat Hofman Award: This new award was named for a woman, Pat Hofman, who served with distinction in the Community Assistance Program for nearly 30 years. She was one of the original victim advocates for the Sheriff’s Office and helped shape the high standard of the program through mentoring and training.

 

Reserve Deputy of the Year/Roy & Goldie Fling Award: Reserve Unit Sergeant Michael Kaessner is dedicated to assisting the department whenever and wherever needed. Regardless of the assignment, Reserve Sergeant Kaessner can be relied upon to the carry out the task reliably, and professionally. An accomplishment worthy of recognition since Mike gave 455 hours of service this year without compensation.

 

The Sheriff’s Cadet Program annually honors those members of the program who contribute 500 or more service hours to the Sheriff’s Office during any calendar year. This year’s honorees are: Cadet Captain Austin Jensen and Cadet Lieutenant Garrett Eastman. 

 

Non-Commissioned Employee of the Year: Director Cecil O’Farrell for her outstanding management, and growth of the Community Assistance Program.

 

Support Services Employee of the Year: Business Analyst Michelle Sebastian for her outstanding leadership, mentoring and project management skills as the manager of the Sheriff’s Computer Support Unit.

 

Jail Deputy of the Year Deputy: Deputy Chris Reiss for his commitment to organizational excellence which he supports with critical safety training. Deputy Reiss also received his third Life Saving Medal this year for actions that further demonstrate his commitment to the department’s values.

 

Operations Division Deputy of the Year: Deputy Dave Salaman for his the quiet, yet driving, force behind the division’s move into current technology and his contributions as a whole to the division. In addition to his patrol duties, this deputy continues to continue his collateral duties in a way that is an example to others in the profession.

 

K9 Service Recognition Award: Deputy Mitch Rosebrough and K9 Ned were honored for their service. K9 Ned had over 400 deployments during his career. K9 Ned was a favorite in public demonstrations. The two worked together four years until K9 Ned retired in July 2015 at the age of 12. Now Ned is enjoying his well-earned retirement as a family dog with the Rosebroughs.

 

 

A Sheriff’s Commendation was awarded to 29 employees for distinguished or outstanding achievement in the line of duty.

 

A Sheriff’s Teamwork Award of Excellence was awarded to five team to recognize their collective performance that created noteworthy or measurable results that epitomize the mission or values of the Sheriff’s Office. A Meritorious Service Medal for service excellence over a number of years was conferred to 13 staff members. The Life Saving Medal was conferred to 10 staff member for their actions that saved a life. The Bronze Star Medal was conferred to three staff members for their heroism in the line of duty. The Silver Star Medal was awarded to a single deputy for his act of gallantry in the line of duty.

 

 

Excellence in law enforcement and public safety is always deserving of recognition. We congratulate all award recipients!