FAITH AND FELONIES DCSO’S NEW DEPUTY/CHAPLAIN
Pictured: Tim Ralph walks the line
DRAGON RUNNER Robot roars into danger
THE BOLD AND THE BRAVE Heroes save lives
Fall 2013 Briefing
Fall 2013
THE BRIEFING ROOM
Did you know?
Our new deputy - chaplain is also a carpenter, firefighter, founder of a church, a marksman and a custom home builder
The DCSO Chaplain provides support to any member of the sheriff’s office, no matter their faith or religion.
The magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 303.660.7500
Inside this issue: Message from Sheriff David 3 Behind the Badge with 4 Undersheriff Tony Spurlock
COVER STORY: HEAVEN SENT
First Born
5
Parker Chamber Hero Award 2013
6
Operation Clean Sweep
8
COVER STORY: HEAVEN SENT
12
Dragon Runner
18
Blue Thunder Ride 2013
20
Divisional Commendation
22
PEER Support 7 Dangers Social Media
23 24
Serving the community
25
TIP A COP! Drug Take Back Day
26 27
CPR Saves 2 boys
28
CITAC Annual Conference Fraud Alert
30 31
Escape from Estes Wal-Mart donation
32 34
Lost and Found
36
ASIST Classes
37
Boot Camp Basics
38
The Hurt Locker
39
Socks for Heroes Cops Helping Soldiers
40 41
SafeTALK
42
CERT Training
43
Work Hard Play Hard
44
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has a new deputy who doubles as its chaplain. He serves those who serve others. It may seem like a contradiction to offer someone cuffs or counseling, but Tim Ralph sees the jobs as one and the same. He’s a better deputy because he’s a good listener and he’s a better chaplain because he knows what it’s like to be on the front line. The chaplain job is 100%
volunteer. You’ll know he’s wearing that hat because Tim won’t be in uniform and will likely be working in his office, where you can talk to him confidentially. When wearing his deputy hat, he’s wearing a badge out on patrol. As a deputy, there’s no confidentiality for legal purposes. Hope you get a chance to meet our new deputychaplain and welcome him aboard. READ HEAVEN SENT --PAGE 8
PREPAREDNESS FOR YOU AND LOVED ONES Fall is the time to focus on National Preparedness. It is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters. If you’ve seen the news recently, you know that emergencies can happen unex-
pectedly in communities just like ours, to people like you. Recently, we’ve had floods, fires and huge blizzards in Colorado. Our deputies, police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly in
an emergency or disaster. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker our community will recover.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
THE BRIEFING ROOM
Page 3
DAVID A. WEAVER, DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF This fall, please prepare and plan in the event you must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services. Just follow these easy steps:
Stay Informed: Get urgent updates on our website www.DCSheriff.net. Also watch the news and go to federal and state websites. www.Access Ready.gov will teach you what to do before, during and after an emergency. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see Ready.gov. Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to build community resilience. Plan in advance how you will as-
semble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as make sure that they other means of allow pets. Some ontransportation out ly allow service aniof your area. mals. Consider Your Pets: Whether you Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every decide to stay put room in case of fire or evacuate, you will need to make Build a Kit: Keep enough emergency plans in advance supplies - water, for your service nonperishable food, animal and pets. first aid, prescripKeep in mind that tions, flashlight and what’s best for battery-powered rayou is typically dio on hand - for you what’s best for and those in your your animals. care. If you must evacuThanks for helping ate, take your keep our county safe. pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going Sheriff David A. to a public shelter, Weaver
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Behind the Badge with Undersheriff Tony Spurlock “Businesses need to be just as ready for emergencies as residents because they are the backbone of our community. “ -- Tony Spurlock, Undersheriff
PREPAREDNESS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND MANAGERS
As a business owner or manager, you are a leader in your community and have the opportunity to set an example for your employees, customers and community to follow. This fall you can join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and lead efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared. Disasters not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes. As an employer in your community, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees and its infrastructure and maximizes your chances of recovery after an emergency or disaster. Ready Business asks companies to take three simple steps: Plan to stay in business; Encourage your people to become Ready Protect your investment. Here are some good reasons business should be prepared:
vices on time. If there is a significant delay, customers may go to a competitor. *Larger businesses are asking their suppliers about preparedness. They want to be sure that their supply chain is not interrupted. Failure to implement a preparedness program risks losing business to competitors who can demonstrate they have a plan. Insurance is only a partial solution. It does not cover all losses and it will not replace customers. *Many disasters — natural or human-caused — may overwhelm the resources of even the largest public agencies. Or they may not be able to reach every facility in time. *News travels fast and perceptions often differ from reality. Businesses need to reach out to customers and other stakeholders quickly. Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign, helps business owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency.
At Ready.gov/business, companies can find vital infor*Up to 40% of businesses affected by a natu- mation on how to get started preparing their organizaral or human-caused disaster never reopen. tion and addressing their unique needs during an emergency. For more information, check out: Ready.gov/ (Source: Insurance Information Institute) business. Customers expect delivery of products or serStay Safe. Tony Spurlock, Undersheriff
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Baby is first born in new Cas- was very supportive,” new dad and DCSO Deputy tle Rock Adventist Hospital
Dan Palermo said.
Alexander’s parents, Dan and Kathryn, had no and second for Douglas Coun- problem naming their baby. Dan liked it, Kathryn saw the name splashed across a new medical ty Sheriff’s Deputy and wife building and then, their tour guide at the new hospital was named Alex. It seemed like destiny to the he baby could hardly wait for the opening couple to name him Alexander. of Castle Rock’s new hospital. The hospital gave Alexander royal treatment for beThree hours after it opened for business on August ing the first born there. The parents received flow1st, Alexander Palermo was delivered into the arms ers, baby clothes and a warm reception from the of his parents, surrounded by new doctors and staff. nurses, in a shiny new delivery room with a Jacuzzi The couple also received lots of attention from the and a view of the mountains. media. You can read more about their story by Re“It was a great experience and it’s a beautiful hospiporter Virginia Grantier at OurColoradoNews.com. tal. My wife is actually a nurse there , so the staff CONGRATULATIONS!!!
T Dad says Alexander is sleeping through the night
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Parker Chamber
I
n 2006, Walt Wohlgemuth had a vision that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office could make residents safer and save them money.
It was a bit radical. The residents would help protect themselves and their own communities. They would patrol their homes and businesses and assist deputies--for free. Luckily for Walt, Sheriff David A. Weaver knew a great idea when he heard one. Together, they created the Community Safety Volunteer (CSV) Program. Now, eight years later, CSV’s have contributed more than 110,000 hours to support the DCSO and make the county a safer place for everyone.
Walt Woh 2013 Her
Creator of the Community
The program has 42 volunteers, including... The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
2013 Hero Award
business owners, accountants and engineers. The CSV’s go to a training academy with 100 hours of field and classroom work. They each volunteer at least 16 hours a month. The program’s so successful, it’s expanded into Lone Tree and Castle Rock Police Departments.
hlgemuth ro Award
y Safety Volunteer Program
On September 12, The Parker Chamber of Commerce awarded Walt with the 2013 Hero Award. Captain Darren Weekly says Walt is a “Hero” in every sense of the word. “He is deserving of this award because of his outstanding accomplishment creating and advancing the CSV program which has now become an invaluable asset to all of DCSO and the community we serve. “
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Undersheriff Tony Spurlock briefs law enforcement and journalists about Operation Clean Sweep -September 2013
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
N
ational, state and local law enforcement teamed-up last month to track down registered sex offenders using state-ofthe-art technology.
Law enforcement tap into a sex offender
It was Operation Clean Sweep. Every year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office makes sure that registered sex offenders are living and working where they claim to be in official court records. That’s important because some of them have been convicted of seriously harming children.
deputies where the offenders should be,
“They tend to offend again if they’re not
all the registered sex offenders in the state.
monitored, so this keeps everyone safe,” Undersheriff Tony Spurlock says.
tracking and management database called SOTAR to get information about the offenders. With a few mouse clicks, SOTAR tells what they look like, what they’ve been charged with and more. Sex offenders from 57 law enforcement agencies are part of the database, which is expected to grow as more jurisdictions get involved. That means SOTAR contains 42% of SOTAR was designed by Douglas County I.T. and law enforcement personnel from Doug-
By law, sex offenders who have been convict- las County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Rock PD, ed of specific acts must register their where- and Parker PD. abouts for the rest of their lives. The DCSO’s policy is to monitor those offenders to make sure they are complying with state law. Usually, deputies find the sex offenders at home or at work. But a couple usually try to cheat the system and live in secret. Deputies
The DCSO also logs into SOTAR during emergencies to search for missing kids and assist other agencies. 160 sex offenders live In unincorporated Douglas County.
go out and find them--and when they do--
Want to know who lives near you? Search
the offenders will be charged with failing to
the DCSO’s public database here:
register or submitting false information.
SOTAR or http://tinyurl.com/SOTAR .
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Operation Clean Sweep continued….
DCSO’s Lt. Kevin Duffy explains the importance of the operation to assisting law enforcement
“It allows me to go deeper into the Bat Cave.”
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“He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help shape the human resources aspect he newest part-time deputy for the of our administration,” Chief Nicholson-Kluth Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is heaven sent. says. “Being on the line is a difficult, stressful, Twenty hours a week, Tim Ralph puts on Class B’s, holsters a gun and pins on a badge. The other and a psychologically draining job. Having someone that not only can do the job, but can half of the week, he’s a man of the cloth as the volunteer chaplain and pastor of New Covenant help us serve our front line officers is a win/ Church in Larkspur. win.” On duty as deputy, Tim offers peer support and On the way to an emergency call, he’s aware of an even higher one. “I hope I have a few different counseling. Off duty as volunteer chaplain, he tools to bring to the game that might bring heal- offers emotional and spiritual support. He ing and guidance,” Tim says. thinks the jobs are similar. While the profesThe deputy has been assigned to the Community sional presence of a deputy in public can calm Resources arm of the sheriff’s office. That means and prevent an incident, his presence as a minhe works with just about everyone inside and out- ister can also be very reassuring. It doesn’t side of the office. He has been the volunteer chap- matter what religion people are, Tim offers lain for the DCSO since 2008. them support, compassion and understanding. Administrative Services Bureau Chief Holly Nicholson-Kluth says Tim was hired because he can fill the role of a law enforcement officer and because of his training and expertise in critical incidents, peer support and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I want deputies to know that being their chaplain is my passion. I’d like them to know that I pray for the DCSO all the time, all of them, the deputies, civilians, people in detention, investigations, everyone.” CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
Today at the DCSO, he has been given the same call sign—chaplain 11. He worked with patrol in Minnesota and works with patrol here.
There’s faith and then there are felonies. This chaplain can shoot. As a boy growing up in Minnesota, Tim and his dad would hunt and fish in the woods. In July 2011, Tim was named the “Top Gun” on the firing range after graduating from law enforcement academy. He put himself through Peace Officers Standards and Training or POST. The dual role isn’t new for him. In 1987, Tim became a volunteer firefighter with the Larkspur Fire Department and its default chaplain. He fought five structure fires, rescued people in snowstorms and traffic pileups for 25 years in that career. Along the way, he got to know sheriff’s deputies and itched to try something new. “I love to learn and it was another door that opened for more education. As I like to tell people, “It allows me to get deeper into the Bat Cave.’” Tim has come full circle by working for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. After he graduated Bible College in Minneapolis in 1977 with a degree in Pastoral Theology, he joined the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office as a volunteer chaplain. Back then, the chaplain on duty’s call sign was 11.
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ive years later, he moved to Sedalia, Colorado to build custom houses and start his own carpentry business. He still regularly went to church. One day, the carpenter/ chaplain forgot to set his alarm clock for services and fate intervened. When Tim, an ordained minister, and his wife missed church that Sunday in Larkspur, he decided to go ahead and teach his family at home. Neighbors joined in and soon, a small body of believers was formed. They called it New Covenant Church. In time, land was donated and they built a church. Tim has been the lead pastor since 1982. Recently, he turned over the lead role to his associate and moved into a part-time role so he could focus on his new position as DCSO deputy and chaplain. HEAVEN SENT CONTINUED...
Tim Ralph 1978
Tim understands that when he’s in uniform, people might be confused. After all, he could counsel or cuff them. While he wears two hats, he can’t separate faith from first responder. “If a deputy is out there, isn’t he still a parent, a husband, a wife? We’re not one person; we each have many roles in life. Those different roles make us better cops.”
In his new job as part-time deputy, Tim has also been assigned to work on a Peer Support Team, Colorado Life Trak, which helps keep track of people with Dementia and other illnesses where the person may wander, and is good partner on patrol. He’s the “extra gun” in the car. Both the deputy and chaplain jobs fill Tim’s need to serve. “To me being a cop, a firefighter or a pastor is a calling. Not everyone wants to do it. They stand guard or, as the scriptures teach, they are “The Watchman on the Wall.” They sacrifice. They’re around the stuff that nobody wants to be around. They make a lot of sacrifice mentally, physically and spiritually. They’re standing vigil and watching when no one else wants to.”
Deputy Tim Ralph involved in ’Active Killer’ Training inside a Douglas County high school in 2013, with other law enforcement officers.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
“If a deputy is o he still a parent wife? We’re no we each have m life.” -- Tim Ra
out there, isn’t t, a husband, a ot one person; many roles in alph
AP PHOTO: Douglas County Chaplain Tim Ralph helps a resident at the re-entry station at the School in the Woods in Colorado Springs as some residents were allowed to return to their homes Tuesday, June 18, 2013.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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DRAGON RUN hat has six cameras, can be thrown over fences, climb up stairs and help
save lives? The DCSO’s new Dragon Runner bomb robot.
“It can do a lot of things that we were limited o ing before,” Lt. Barrella says. “We can use it to g er intelligence, to bring a phone to the door of hostile person in a stand-off if needed and use i disable suspicious devices with tools.”
“We love it,” Lt. Tommy Barrella, commander of the
Lt. Barrella says the robot provides real-time vid so they can assess dangerous situations withou it’s user friendly. It’s ready to go on a moment’s norisking a deputy’s life. The office will take the D tice. “ Runner on all Bomb and SWAT Team calls, up to year, leaving their bigger robot, which is mainly The sheriff’s office received the ultra-rugged, portato disable bombs. ble robot in August with a $110,397 homeland secubomb squad. “It’s very functional, quick, easy and
rity grant.
The Dragon Runner was designed by the National Robotics Engineering Centre for the U.S. Marine Corps in 2002. The Marines used it in Operation Iraqi Freedom for urban reconnaissance and sentry missions. Now, law enforcement around the world, like the DCSO, are using the robots on Bomb and SWAT Team calls.
Lt. Tommy Barrella, DCSO Bomb Squad Commander
NNER
on dogatha it to
deo ut ragon o 75 a y used
Dragon Runner Facts
Uses wireless remote control which can transmit up to one mile away Has six cameras, four passive infrared motion detectors and is audio capable Powered by military batteries Can detect motion from up to 30 feet away Weighs 10 pounds and travels up to 6 mph on four wheels It can be thrown over fences, under moving vehicles, go up or down stairwells. It’s built to function in either of the directions it lands and can also reach destinations on its own power. Is controlled by a small, wireless remote operator control system. Read the OurColoradoNews story about the Dragon Runner by Reporter Ryan Boldry here.
BLUE THUNDE
ON AUGUST 18T, 2013, THE THUNDER ROLLED
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he motorcycles sounded like a thunderstorm bearing down on Castle Rock. They rumbled so loudly, they might have been heard in heaven, where Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron King was no doubt pulling on his helmet and boots to ride with the bikers below. More than 65 motorcycles on August 18 hit the road for the 14th annual Blue Thunder Ride Benefit and Poker Run. Along the way, they were thinking of King. The Deputy took his last ride in 1999. He was out patrolling traffic on his motorcycle, when a drunk driver took a hard right in front of him without warning. Now, King rides with his stepdaughter Julie Widmer, who founded the Ride in his honor, on clouds. The route this year took the bikers south to Monument and east into Black Forest. The ride raised $2,600 for scholarships for students, because King loved kids.
ER RIDE 2013
DEPUTY WILLIAM MATHIS DIVISIONAL COMMENDATION, September 2013 “Your actions demonstrated the organizational values of Judgment, Ingenuity, and Empowerment, as well as the Character First traits of Benevolence, Compassion, and Initiative.” --Captain Attila C. Denes
Newsletter Title Organization Name
Special points of interest:
Douglas County Peer Support Team September 2013
Confidential Coworkers helping coworkers Available 24-7 DCSONet lists Peer Advisors
As stated on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Website, the Peer Support Program is an informal, private opportunity, available 24 hours a day for you to speak to someone like you, to assist with any issues you may be having difficulty with in your life. We are here to help you clarify your concerns and explore your available resources. Remember that reaching out for help or guidance on an issue is not a weakness in your character. We are here to assist you. The Peer Support Program is preventative maintenance. For many of you, just talking about your problem will help. For others, peer supporters or "peers", have received formal training in listening skills and are able to recognize, help to prevent, understand the effects of stress, and refer you to other assistance, if needed. When to Seek Assistance
Overwhelming situations impacting you at work, home, or in training.
Intense feeling of discomfort, stress, or confusion.
Significant symptoms that persist longer than 6 weeks.
Suicidal thoughts or planning.
Other self-destructive behaviors.
Feel like you are losing control.
Just want to check in and see if you are OK.
Wellness Brain Teaser: Doing this will decrease your chances of living until 100. Going skydiving Retiring early Getting a dog Listening to music DCSO Peer Support
http://www.rayandterry.com/blog/healthy-trivia-010113/ Answer: Believe it or not retiring early.
7 Legal Dangers of Social Networking Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards and other social media websites and apps are great tools to help you connect with friends and family. Businesses and professionals also use social net-working to connect with customers and coworkers. Many social media users are unaware that the information they post online and the digital trail they leave behind can be used against them in court. The following information will help you understand the legal risks involved in social networking.
1. Attorney-Client Confidentiality—Attorney-client confidentiality protects all communications between you and your attorney. This means the information you communicate directly to your attorney cannot be used against you in court. A breach of attorney-client privilege can seriously harm your case. Talking about your legal matter online is a serious breach of confidentiality. Do not discuss the details of your case with anyone other than your attorney.
2. Anonymity—Posting comments to online forums, news outlets or blogs can give you the impression of anonymity. There is no anonymity online; everything can be traced back to its source. Before posting anything online consider the very real possibility that it will be traced back to you.
3. Children—Child predators use social networking sites to find victims. Talk to your children about online safety. In addition, online bullying has grown rapidly in recent years. It is important to talk to children about how to handle being bullied, as well as the importance of reporting and not participating in the bullying of other children.
4. Family Law—Facebook profiles and Twitter posts are being introduced as evidence more and more frequently in divorce and child custody cases. No matter what your intention when posting something online, consider how it could come back to haunt you. The best advice is to take a break from Facebook or other social media during a divorce or custody dispute.
5. Criminal Law—In addition to divorce court, the digital trail created through social networking is becoming increasingly common in criminal cases. Discussing illegal activity, even in jest, could land you in hot water.
6. Human Resources—Employers are increasingly turning to social media to learn more about applicants. Applicants should be aware that their profiles and posts could be used for this pur-pose. Employers must be careful not to unlawfully discriminate based on age, gender, race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Employees who disparage their employers or coworkers online could even lose their job.
7. Identity Theft—Thieves and scammers often use social networking sites to gather personal information on victims. You may think it is perfectly harmless to discuss your birthday or post the address of you new home on Facebook or Twitter, but that type of personal information can be used against you. Think carefully about the information you post online. Legal News article in LegalShield
Community service…and….Serving the community
Captain Robert McMahan, Captain Darren Weekly and Captain Jason Kennedy ready to serve (left to right)
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heriffs’ Office personnel usually serve Douglas County by helping keep people safe and responding to emergency situations. On September 11, Sheriff Weaver and Undersheriff Spurlock with the their Bureau Chiefs and Division Commanders took a different approach to community service.
They served brats and potato salad to approximately 100 seniors at the Highlands Ranch Senior’s Club Oktoberfest Luncheon. The luncheon was sponsored by the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Douglas County’s senior population is growing faster that all 3,000 counties in the United States. By the 2030 census, seniors (people 65 and older) will make up more than 25% of the population of Douglas County. Written by Tom Cornelius, Community Resources
Want some great service from law enforcement? Then show up to Red Robin on October 12 and they’ll bring you food, drinks and dessert. All of your tips will go to Colorado Special Olympics. The 2013 Tip-A-Cop will be at Red Robin located at 63 W. Centennial Blvd. in Highlands Ranch. The event is on Saturday October 12th, 2013 from 11am to 8pm.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, October 26th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Highlands Ranch Sheriffs’ Substation Northwest parking lot 9250 Zotos Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO (Zotos Drive & Highlands Ranch Parkway)
Stay in your vehicle--we’ll come to you and safely dispose of your drugs
Just drive through and hand-off your old medications
We’ll accept any new or old prescription drugs
We cannot accept: Needles Sharps Mercury (thermometers) Oxygen containers Chemotherapy or radioactive substances Pressurized containers Illicit drugs
Douglas County man award Rescuer credits CPR training, en
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ich Mandeville and his little boy Jack were hanging out at Cherry Creek Reservoir on September 7, 2013 when they heard a commotion down the beach. They looked and listened. More screams, getting louder. People pointing to the water. Rich said to his son, "Let's go! Follow me!"
They ran full speed toward a dozen people down the beach hovering near the water. Their cries were now piercing and he could see the horror on their faces. In the water, swimmer Daniel Bertrand was coming out of the reservoir, dragging the bodies of two five-year-olds like rag dolls. They had drowned. Rich reached Daniel and said, "I know CPR! Put them down!" The rescuer placed them on the shore. Rich began pressing the chest of one child even though he thought there was no hope. The boys had been face down in the water for at least five minutes before he figured out what was happening and ran to help. Who knows how long they had been floating in the water before that. Still, he tried. "It was a long time. It was a battle." Just a year and a half ago, he had taken CPR training and now, somehow, it kicked in. 30 compressions, two breaths. 30 compressions, two breaths. For 10 minutes, water, vomit and fluids pumped out of the boy. Another bystander, Troy Steadman, was doing CPR on the second boy. The women's screams around them were now deafening and crowding in on them. Rich focused and pressed. After what seemed like forever, the child took a breath. He let out a
ded with Life Saving Medal ncourages others to learn CPR cry. It was the best cry Rich had ever heard. He looked at Troy and asked if he could help do CPR on the other boy. Troy moved aside. Two minutes later, Rich felt the boy’s fire like a starting gun. Still, no breath. The boy was on his side, fluids gushing out. Finally, he breathed.
h Paramedics, just pulling up, grabbed gurneys and took the boys to different hospitals.
Rich and his son, Troy and Daniel walked back to their cars. Troy turned to Rich. "Hey, man…," he said. Troy started to cry. Rich cried too. What they'd just seen and done poured n out in tears. Two boys' lives were saved that day because bystanders knew CPR. The rescuers want everyone to learn CPR because medical personnel can't be everywhere all the time. On October 1, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office awarded Rich Mandeville, Troy Steadman and Daniel Bertram with Life Saving Medals.
Rich’s son Jack received a Bravery Award for sticking by his dad during the rescue
Troy Steadman, Rich Mandeville and Daniel Bertram pose with five -year-olds they saved from drowning at Cherry Creek Reservoir using CPR -Photo October 1, 2013
DCSO deputy awarded for helping rescue elementary students
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Written by the Douglas County School District
he Douglas County Board of Education recognized DCSO Deputy Jason Goolsby this month for helping rescue Pine Grove Elementary Students from the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park in the flood zone. Last month, a group of 87 sixth graders and six adults were stranded at Estes Park due to the extreme weather. The Pine Grove Elementary (Parker, CO) students were attending a regularly scheduled outdoor education field trip at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Due to the extreme weather conditions, the group was not able to return home as scheduled.
The only major road into Estes Park was completely flooded and Trail Ridge Road was the only available alternative to exit Estes Park. Unfortunately, the high, mountain road is only open during the summer months. As DCSD monitored the forecast, it was apparent there was only a brief window of time on Friday when the rain would slow down and make a rescue possible. DCSD and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office contacted the National Park Service to request that Trai Ridge Road be opened briefly in order to rescue students. Once given permission to enter the park, DCSD dispatched a convoy of 15 SUV's, two small activity buses, and a service truck to pick up the students and staff. A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy escorted the group the entire trip. The convoy left at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Friday. All the transportation professionals who were dispatched had trained specifically on Trail Ridge Road.
"Throughout the entire process the safety of the staff and students was the primary concern of both the Pine Grove staff and District administration," said DCSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen.
"This was absolutely a team effort," said Fagen. "The district leadership team and Pine Grove Elementary coordinated a community-wide effort to bring our students home safely. We had our h best drivers transporting students, our operations team coordinated the trip with the National s Park Service and the YMCA of the Rockies; Nutrition Services quickly assembled food and snacks for students; Communications provided information to parents and support for Pine Grove staff; and, the Douglas County Sheriff provided leadership and an escort for the rescue convoy," continued Fagen.
In the interim, the Pine Grove Elementary group was evacuated from the YMCA of the Rockies to a general evacuation point near Estes Park and the convoy met them there. The group arrived home to roars of applause and cheering from overjoyed parents and staff just shy of 1 a.m. Sat- urday morning. f
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Wal-Mart gives donat
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he Highlands Ranch Wal-Mart held a Grand ReOpening after a remodel on September 13 and celebrated by giving the DCSO’s Mounted Patrol gift cards worth $300.
Lt. Robert Rotherham, Jr., the Mounted Patrol Unit Supervisor, says the gift cards will be used for training expenses. Lt. Rotherham and the entire Mounted Patrol Unit say THANK YOU!!!!!
tion to DCSO Mounted Patrol
Kathy Curlee, Grant Coordinator for Wal-Mart
YOUR CHILD’S BICYCLE—LOST AND FOUND! Think your child’s bike was stolen when they left it at the playground or in the neighborhood? That’s possible, but it could also have been found by a neighbor, a Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy or a Community Safety Volunteer (CSV.) When deputies and CSV’s spot abandoned bicycles, they take them to the DCSO’s Evidence and Property Room. The bikes are stored there for about a month and then turned over to the Douglas/ Elbert Task Force, a non-profit organization that sells them and uses the funds to help the homeless. So, before you file a theft report or give up on every seeing your child’s bike again— please first check with our Evidence and Property Room! Call us at 303.660.7558 and describe the missing bicycle.
Y.E.S.S. put moms and dads through basic training about teen life
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arents got a wake-up call about the many, serious problems their kids face today in a boot camp held by the DCSO’s Youth Education and Safety in Schools last month.
In several boot camps, moms and dads learned about internet prowlers, bullying, cyberstalking and about how their own kids might be using social media to hurt other kids. Deputies Jay Martin and Ann Walton told the parents how to better protect their kids and talk to them about tough topics like suicide and drunk driving. Wish you had taken the boot camp? Check out the YESS website at http://www.dcsheriff.net/yess/ for upcoming camps.
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hile many have been reading about the recent troop withdrawals, the United States still has over 68,000 troops fighting in Afghanistan. These men and women fight under conditions that would make the average American citizen cringe. They do it without complaint regardless of the discomfort and danger. They are winning against a dedicated and ruthless enemy, who if left unchecked, would bring their brand of terrorism to our shores. LCPL Donald J. Hogan was killed in Helmand Afghanistan in August of 2009. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for the action that claimed his life. In the time period that followed that tragedy, his parents spent a lot of time with the Marines who served with him. During each of their conversations with these men, they asked them what they needed the most. The answer? Socks. Why Socks? Well, the infantry spends all of their time on their feet. They have no laundry facilities, so they have to wash their socks in the canals and air-dry them. Where they are located, the sand and grit gets into them and makes them unusable within a couple of days. Speaking to over 100 field Marines, the answer was uniform: “Send us Socks.” A Marine Battalion is a thousand men. Multiply that by a change of socks every 3 days. That means a minimum of ten thousand socks a month. LCPL Hogan’s parents formed a foundation The Socks for Heroes project. It operates under the San Clemente Marine Corps Support Group’s “Care and Comfort” umbrella of support programs. The San Clemente Marine Support Group is a registered 501 3 (c) nonprofit organization so all donations are tax deductible. Currently they are supplying three Marine Infantry Battalions and several Army Units who are all in-country. How you can help? Pretty simple – Buy inexpensive black or brown cotton socks. We also welcome monetary donations to assist with packaging and shipping costs. Review information on Facebook (you don’t need to be a Facebook user to access it) https://www.facebook.com/SocksforHeroes Or on the web http://www.scmsg.org/
(Left to Right) Mike Balzar - Fleet Transportation Manager with Maureen White - Patrol Admin. Assistant and Lt. Larry Noble getting in the construction “zone.�
Janet Grovenor - Support Services, gets ready to take off in a helicopter during Operation Clean Sweep