The selfless individuals who save lives and protect our community every day were honored at the annual Sheriff's Office Awards Ceremony Thursday night.Â
Washoe County Sheriff's Office staff and community members got a little recognition for helping create a safer community.
"From having something escalate to a much greater disaster, these folks were there, they stepped in, took the right action and we are here to publicly recognize each and every one of them for their efforts," said Sheriff Chuck Allen with the WCSO.Â
From rescuing a person in a dangerous situation to providing comfort to a lost child, the Sheriff's Office says those recognized today did what they did because it was the right thing to do, not to win awards.Â
"They didn't perform that act for any type of recognition. It was something they did automatically, naturally, and it's a part of their duties, but because of what happened or the series of events leading up to what happened, is why they're being recognized," said Allen.Â
Deputy Frank Eubanks was given a Letter of Commendation for finding a missing toddler wandering the streets with a soiled diaper, changing him, and returning him to his parents.Â
HASTY search and rescue swimmers saved two men from a near death experience on Pyramid Lake after their canoe capsized.Â
And one citizen working with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada saved two young girls from a lifetime of victimization after helping convict their live in babysitter of molestation.Â
"Some day down the road, they're going to come to a point where they're going to meet somebody and they're going to sense the same thing that I sensed. And they're going to be able to help that person along the way," said Lindsey Smiley, who received the Sheriff's Star Award.Â
In 2013 at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada lunch program, Lindsey was feeding underprivileged children and noticed two young girls, ages five and eight who were brought by a man on a regular basis.
"When I first met them, I knew that something wasn't right," said Smiley.Â
Her instincts were right.
"The second that her live in babysitter walked over, she shut down. She wouldn't look at me, she wouldn't look at anyone around her, she stared at the ground, and at that moment, I knew, I knew something was wrong," said Smiley.Â
It was revealed the man had molested both of the young girls. Lindsey reported the discovery to Child Protective Services and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. The investigation uncovered both girls weren't just molested by the babysitter, but also their father.Â
Her gut feeling led to the conviction of both men and gave the girls an opportunity to heal.Â
"To know that they're doing better. And they get to live and they get to live a better life than they ever thought would happen," said Smiley.Â
She was awarded the Sheriff's Star Award for her actions. And she has a message to anyone who sees something not right like she did two summers ago.
"Doing the right thing is hard sometimes. "Having to call out from work and going to trial after trial or wondering how people are going to handle it. If you feel like something is wrong, go with it, figure out what it is. Keep pursuing it until you find out," said Smiley.Â
Lindsey says she will continue to use her gut feeling when she feels something is wrong.Â
