SALIDA, COLO – Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich awarded lifesaving medals to five officers with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office during a private award ceremony in Salida on December 4th. Chaffee County Undersheriff Alex Walker also presented a distinguished service bar and gave a promotion to a sixth Chaffee County Sheriff officer for his exemplary performance during multiple investigations.
The five lifesaving medal honorees included Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jesse Mitchell, who was celebrated in recognition of his efforts during an incident in September 2023. Detective Mitchell responded to the scene of a medical emergency in Salida involving a 27-year-old man who did not have a pulse and was not breathing. Detective Mitchell, along with a Salida Police Officer, were the first on the scene and immediately began life saving measures. With actions supported by Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Mitchell was able to help revive the patient, who ultimately made a full recovery following a short hospitalization.
Sheriff Rohrich commended Mitchell, sharing, “Without Detective Mitchell’s prompt and skilled response during the critical incident, the outcome certainly would have been different. Detective Mitchell’s dedication to his training and compassion for the citizens of Chaffee County made him a true hero on this day. Because of Detective Mitchell’s actions and the actions of the other emergency responders to this incident, this man gets another chance to be a father, a husband, and a son.”
Sheriff Rohrich also awarded three Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office deputies lifesaving medals for their response to an incident in May 2024. Patrol Sergeant William Plackner, Deputy Brad McCray, and Deputy Kyle Baxter each received this recognition for their actions that helped save the life of a 10-month old child. Deputies Baxter and McCray were first on scene in response to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unresponsive infant who was not breathing. They immediately started performing life saving measures on the child. Sergeant Plackner arrived on scene shortly thereafter, also providing medical aid to the child and communicating with the EMS ambulance team. The deputies and EMS responders were able to revive the infant who ultimately made a recovery following hospitalization at Children’s Hospital.
Sheriff Rohrich lauded the officers, saying, “All three deputies showed extreme composure during a terrifying scene, every parent’s worst nightmare. Their impeccable abilities were put on center stage, and their quick and efficient response was a testament to their long hours of continued training. This child was given a second chance at life who, God willing, will live a long and fruitful one.”
Sheriff Rohrich also presented Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Donnie Smith with a lifesaving medal for his actions during an incident in October 2024. Deputy Smith provided critical medical care to a solo hiker with severe injuries sustained after a fall on La Plata Peak.
Deputy Smith, along with a Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North (CCSAR-N) team member, was inserted into the field by helicopter near the location of the patient at >13,000’ in rugged terrain. After medically stabilizing the hiker, Deputy Smith worked with CCSAR-N to hoist the patient via rope into the helicopter in order to relocate to a safer location. However, due to nighttime visibility and conditions, the helicopter could not transport the parties out of the field until morning, so Deputy Smith stayed with the patient on the mountain throughout the night. The patient was eventually airlifted out of the area the next morning and transported via helicopter to a hospital where he recovered from his serious injuries.
Sheriff Rohrich shared his admiration, saying, “Deputy Smith had already worked a full patrol shift all day before he braved the freezing conditions and extreme exposure to provide critical overnight care to someone in need. With the severe injuries and plummeting temperatures this man certainly may have lost his life on the side of the mountain had it not been for Deputy Smith’s dedication and bravery. His constant commitment to the wellbeing of others above self, have certainly become a huge asset to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the people of Chaffee County.”
This was Deputy Smith’s second lifesaving medal with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office. He had previously received one for a similar rescue in November 2022.
During the December 4th ceremony, Chaffee County Undersheriff Alex Walker also provided Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Detective Tyler Ellison a distinguished service bar, and promoted him to Detective Sergeant in recognition of his leadership in recent investigations, which have resulted in successful prosecution of human trafficking crimes.
Undersheriff Walker shared, “There are many cases where Detective Ellison’s work ethic and professionalism have risen to the top. We are grateful to Detective Ellison for his on-going commitment to make Chaffee County a safer community for us all.”
Added Rohrich, “During these investigations and multiple others, Detective Ellison has demonstrated superior levels of investigative ability and has a drive and passion that is hard to match.”
The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office offers its congratulations to these exemplary team members and reinforces its deep gratitude their exceptional service to the Chaffee County community.
