According to Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office awarded several commendations at the annual Sheriff’s Office holiday luncheon on Monday, December 19, 2016 at the Law Enforcement Center in Fort Edward.
Deputy Todd Riche and Firefighter Drew Shaw of the Shusan Volunteer Fire Department were awarded meritorious service commendations for their actions at an August 19, 2016 incident in the Battenkill River. Both responded to a report of a canoe accident with a woman trapped and entangled. Deputy Riche removed his patrol gear and swam to the victims. With one victim safely on shore, Deputy Riche was able to keep the second victim's head above water until additional help arrived. When Firefighter Shaw arrived, he also swam to where Deputy Riche and the female victim were, swam underwater and dislodged the victim’s leg from a log that she was entangled in.
Four officers were awarded “Life Saving” commendations with six incidents involving heroin overdoses where the officer’s administered NARCAN to reverse the effects of the drug. The incidents all occurred in 2016.
Deputy Lance Barber was awarded a “Life Saving” commendation for an incident on October 6, 2016 in the Town of Kingsbury. Deputy Barber had responded to a reported heroin overdose and upon arriving found a male subject surrounded by drug paraphernalia. The male subject was unconscious and unresponsive. Deputy Barber administered two doses of Narcan which reversed the overdose and resulted in the victim regaining consciousness prior to being transported to the hospital.
Deputy Cory Hurlburt was awarded two “Life Saving” commendations. On February 6, 2016, Deputy Hurlburt responded to a report of an unconscious female, face down on the side of the roadway. The female was unconscious and unresponsive after having overdosed on a combination of alcohol and prescription medication. Deputy Hurlburt administered a dose of Narcan and the female began to become conscious.
On March 5, 2016, Deputy Hurlburt responded to assist Fort Edward Police officers with a report of a heroin overdose in the Village of Fort Edward. Deputy Hurlburt arrived to find a Fort Edward officer administering a dose of Narcan to a male subject who was blue in color and not breathing. Deputy Hurlburt administered two additional doses of Narcan and within about 45 seconds, the male subject began breathing on his own.
On November 17, 2016, Deputy Jacob Kearns responded with officers from the Fort Edward Police Department to a disturbance at a local business. Upon arriving, officers found that a male subject had locked himself inside a bathroom and was not responding. Entry was made to the bathroom and officers located a male subject unconscious and in respiratory distress with a hypodermic needle in his arm. Deputy Kearns administered two doses of Narcan and the subject regained consciousness as EMS arrived.
On April 6, 2016, Deputy Scott McFarren responded to a heroin overdose in the Town of Hebron. Upon arriving, Deputy McFarren located an unconscious male on the floor with the male subject’s girlfriend performing CPR. Deputy McFarren administered three doses of Narcan and shortly thereafter, the male subject began breathing on his own.
On May 8, 2016, Deputy McFarren responded to a report of a possible heroin overdose in the Town of Easton. Upon arriving, Deputy McFarren found an unconscious female on the ground in the parking lot. The female had shallow breathing and was unconscious. Deputy McFarren administered a dose of Narcan and the female regained consciousness and began breathing normally.
Six deputies were awarded certificates of achievements for their actions on various types of calls in 2016:
Deputy Josh Whitney was awarded a certificate of achievement for a July 4, 2016 incident in the Village of Hudson Falls where he was acting at the SERT Commander. Washington County SERT (Sheriff's Emergency Response Team) was requested by the Hudson Falls Police Department for a subject who had stabbed his roommate and barricaded himself in his residence. Deputy Whitney’s coordinated effort and subsequent action plan resulted in the safe apprehension of the suspect.
Deputies Jennifer Noble and Cory Hurlburt were recognized for their actions in a November 4, 2016 incident in the Town of Kingsbury. Both deputies arrived on the scene of an apparent industrial accident at the bridge in Smith Basin. The two quickly determined one person was missing and underwater. Both deputies removed their patrol gear, used a small row boat in a valent effort to rescue the missing man.
Deputy John LaTour was awarded a certificate of achievement for his handling of a May 13, 2016 investigation. Deputy LaTour had responded to a report of a domestic dispute in the Town of Kingsbury. During the course of the investigation and persistent uncovering of facts, Deputy LaTour discovered that a grandson has previously assaulted his grandmother which left her with significant injuries. An arrest was made and the suspect has reportedly received the mental health treatment he needed.
Deputy Robert Danko was awarded a certificate of achievement for a July 30, 2016 incident in the Village of Whitehall. Deputy Danko was assisting officers with rescuing a distraught woman who had jumped from a bridge into the canal. Deputy Danko and the Whitehall Officer were able to grab the woman and keep her from going under the water until additional help arrived.
Civil Clerk Britany Bristol was recognized for her administrative assistance to investigators that were conducting an investigation of serious physical injury to a child. Bristol took it upon herself to provide logistical support to the members of the investigation team allowing investigators to fully focus on the investigation.
(Sgt. Todd Lemery Photo)- Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy presents Deputy Todd Riche with a meritorious service commendation on December 12, 2016 at the Law Enforcement Center in Fort Edward, New York.