Douglas County Law Enforcement Employees Honored

Several Douglas County law enforcement employees were honored for their work, Friday night.

Several employees from Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Juvenile Probation, China Springs Youth Camp, DCSO Youth Explorers, Citizen Patrol, Posse, Search and Rescue, Reserves, 911 Communications, as well as State of Nevada Department of Corrections, and Nevada Highway Patrol were present to receive their award for their outstanding contribution to the community through their employment.  

There were five lifesaving medals given to Deputies Geoff Marshall, Jesse McKone, Scott Battcher, Tyler Jones, and Les Video.  Deputy Geoff Marshall was off-duty at gym working out when a customer collapsed, and was not conscious or breathing.  Deputy Marshall did CPR on the patient and was instrumental in keeping the patient alive until the fire department arrived.  

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Nick Nordyke was recognized for his outstanding service to the community by reaching out and being present at events to improve the relationship between the public and NHP.  He attended many school events to educate children on law enforcement. 

State of Nevada Department of Corrections correctional officers Christopher Herzog and Benu Clark were recognized for their quick action after an inmate was stabbed during a fight in a prison.  Herzog and Benu administered emergency first aid and applied a tourniquet saving the inmate’s life.  

Sgt. Bernadette Smith and Deputy Jeff Johnson were awarded the Sheriff’s Meritorious Service for their actions last October when they were dispatched to an address in the Gardnerville Ranchos for domestic dispute.  When they arrived they found a deceased woman in the street from a gunshot wound.  The suspect appeared at the front door and began firing at the deputies.  The deputies returned fire and the injured suspect fled on foot.  He was subsequently captured a few blocks away. 

911 Communications Operators Darlene Spellberg and Maria Bowling were honored for their outstanding skills in being the phone and radio operators for the officer-involved shooting in the Gardnerville Ranchos.  They facilitated the quick response of back-up assistance of other field deputies, jail deputies, Carson City Sheriff’s office, activated the SWAT team, and notified administrators and investigators, along with answering Deputy Johnson and Sergeant Smith’s emergency radio traffic. 

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong was the keynote speaker, emphasizing that mental illness appears to be in the center of several major law enforcement incidents in both Carson City, and the Carson Valley. 

The Tahoe Elks Lodge has hosted Law and Order Night for 31 years. 

(Douglas County contributed to this report.)