Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin recognized ten employees of the sheriff’s office Monday night at the department’s second annual awards ceremony. Nowlin honored four persons in the office’s administrative division – Kendall Allen, Heather Mann, Tayler Hill, and Samantha Shaffer. He praised their professionalism, work ethic, dedication and resourcefulness. He gave an official commendation to Deputy Kenneth Geiger, who wasn’t able to be present, for performing his duties “to the highest standard.” Kyler Rogers was recognized as the top DUI arrest deputy. A Distinguished Service Award went to Deputy Michael Marston Jr. for using great skill and patience to calm an aggressive dog that was guarding the body of its owner, who had committed suicide in the San Juan National Forest. The dog was finally able to be taken to the victim’s family. Sgt. Bryan Hill and Deputy Cayden Worcester received Meritorious Service Awards for handling a difficult situation that began as a welfare check on a woman north of Mancos. Nowlin said her son, who had threatened people earlier, confronted them in the driveway with a high-powered rifle. Nowlin said the deputies retreated behind their vehicle but finally shot the man when he kept approaching. They then rendered medical aid in an unsuccessful attempt to save him. And Deputy Rebecca Lambert earned a Life Saving Award for rescuing an elderly veteran lying helpless on the floor in a locked residence.
Gail Binkly is a career journalist who has worked for the Colorado Springs Gazette and Cortez Journal, and was the editor of the Four Corners Free Press, based in Cortez.