The graying of
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Douglas County Underdogs on top D CSO motorcycle unit rides clean and fast in Phoenix.
Protecting the nest egg The DCSO educates seniors about scams that Slow & Serious DCSO Deputies crack steal their life savings. down on street racing.
The Briefing Room | May 2015
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THE BRIEFING ROOM The magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109
May 2015 COVER: The Graying of Douglas County
COVER STORY -
Older Adults
The DCSO is focusMAD FACTS*: ing on educating The senior citizen is seniors about growing three times scams and teaching faster than the rest of them how to prothe American populatect their nest tion. eggs. U.S. citizens over age 65 outnumber the entire BRIEFING ROOM is the magapopulation of Canada.
THE zine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. It’s produced by Community Resources, www.DCSheriff.net.
Of all those who have lived to age 65—in the history of the world— two-thirds are alive today.
*According to the Enrichment Journal, article by Charles Arn.
EMAIL EDITOR & Public Information Officer/Social Media Director, Deborah Sherman at DSherman@DCSheriff.net. CONTENT: Photography, copy, graphic design by Deborah Sherman unless otherwise indicated. SUBMISSIONS: Have a story idea for The Briefing Room? Please send it to DSherman@DCSheriff.net. CONTACT: 303.660.7500
79-year-old Joan Goldberg of Douglas County lives an active lifestyle. The senior takes long walks, attends activity classes and volunteers at the Senior Center in Castle Rock.
Inside this issue: Message from Sheriff Tony Spurlock
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Slow and Serious - putting brakes on street racers
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Welcome to the DCSO - new employees join posse
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Judging Performance Bob Britton retires
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Thrills and Spills; DCSO Motorcycle Unit competes
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A call sign from above
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Rid your home of dangerous chemicals
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Safe Haven for Craigslist buyers and sellers
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Take your child to work day at the DCSO
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COVER STORY - The Graying of Douglas County. The Age Wave washes over the county and Colorado.
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Sheriff Spurlock warning about new scams
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Banding together to beat burglars
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Getting ready for fire season
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Awards Ceremony
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Stepping back in time
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40 years and counting...
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DC Proud, DC Strong 5k and festival
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Honor Guard at Mile High Memorial Day Run
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Conquering any trail
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Wildland Fire Hand Crew training
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Fallen Hero license plate
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St. Baldrick’s 2015
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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
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TWEET our commanders!
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My internship experience at the DCSO
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School Marshal marshals a snake
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Suicide prevention awareness
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Walking while you work to relieve stress
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Deputies handcuff radio talk show hosts for fundraiser
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“I encourage every young person to check in on their parents and grandparents. Even take it one step further, and help out an older neighbor.” – Sheriff Tony Spurlock
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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HELP MOM AND DAD When I attended the new sheriff training course held by the County Sheriffs of Colorado last year, I created two overarching goals for my tenure: implement new technology that benefits every aspect of public safety and create new programs to protect older Americans. Yes, we’re all getting older, but especially in Douglas County. The population age 65 and older increased 178% from 2000 to 2010, according to U. S. Census information. In 2010, that age group made up more than 7% of our population while the age group between 55 and 64 years of age made up another 11%. Current estimates indicate that one in five county residents is age 60 or older. The state’s graying too. From now until 2021, the number of older adults in Colorado will increase 54%, according to the Colorado Commission on Aging. Centenarians are also a fast growing part of the population. Today, there are about 650 Coloradans 100 years and older. In 2021, there will be about 1,100 centenarians. The aging and aged need their own programs and services. To meet our goals we have designated a senior liaison in Community Resources. This liaison regularly meets with seniors, listens to their concerns, provides crime prevention information, facilitates connections between seniors and resources and educates the community about senior issues. He also helps seniors stay safe with specific information about the oldest –and newest -scams that target our parents’ and grandparents’ nest eggs. Whether con men are calling them pretending to be a grandchild in distress or encouraging them to pay fees for fake lottery winnings, we’re letting seniors know so they can protect themselves. We’re also creating messages for their children and grandchildren about the importance of checking in with and taking care of their older relatives.
Tony Spurlock Douglas County Sheriff
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The DCSO teams up with other law enforcement to put the brakes on street racers.
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t’s red lights all the way for street racers across Douglas County and the Denver Metro area. Law enforcement is cracking down on street racing to make roads safer. "Take it to the track. Take if off-road. Take it somewhere where you can do this, and you can do it in a competitive fashion," Law Enforcement Chief Deputy Steve Johnson said The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is not putting up with anyone putting their pedal to the metal. In April, deputies ticketed two drivers for racing about 107 mph westbound on Lincoln Avenue. Both drivers have to appear in court in June. Deputies will be patrolling every night of the week for racers. Usually, hundreds of drivers meet on Sunday nights, then split off and may push it to the limit on highways, like C-470. Other race supporters will slow down or even stop traffic ahead and behind of the racers, putting many unsuspecting drivers in danger. "Nothing good can come from that,” Johnson said. Law Enforcement Chief Deputy Steve Johnson talks to reporters about the dangers of street racing.
The crackdown is a partnership between the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol, Castle Rock Police Department, Lone Tree Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of
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Slow and Serious Combing forces to combat the leading cause of death and injury in car crashes
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heriff Tony Spurlock joined metro area law, MADD, the NHTSA and the University of CO Hospital in a show of force to get drivers to slow down and drive more safely. Most accidents that seriously injure or kill people are preventable because the drivers were distracted or impaired. Please drive slowly and take the privilege seriously. Across the metro area, serious motor vehicle collisions are interrupting and ending lives too soon. But many of these accidents are preventable because they’re caused by either driving while impaired from alcohol or drugs, or by being distracted while driving (i.e. texting, talking, etc.).
Distracted driver crashes car on Wolfensberger in Douglas County on April 9, 2015
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Media conference in Aurora about slow and steady campaign.
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Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurloc dispatchers, administrative workers
The Briefing Room, a magazine of
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ck swears into office new deputies, and other employees.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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Judging Performanc
DCSO wants court testimony to be top
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eputies need to have many skills to do their jobs. But one that’s largely been taken for granted -- and ignored--is their ability to testify under oath, when the pressure’s on and everything’s at stake. A good presentation can help 18th Judicial District prosecutors make their case and send suspects who police worked hard to catch, to jail for their crimes. A poor presentation could mean suspects don’t get the sentences and punishments they deserve.
quality assurance.
Now, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is taking a stand for deputies who are summoned to take the stand. Sheriff Tony Spurlock and Law Enforcement Chief Deputy Steve Johnson teamed-up with District Attorney George Brauchler to prepare deputies for trials.
Among other things, the survey asks district a uty’s appearance, subject matter knowledge, tivity. The survey also asks respondents to ev assuredness, attitude, clarity of thought and r tions. Just as important are the deputy’s abilit concepts understandably and ability to handl
On April 10th, more than 95 people from the DCSO attended that courtroom training. Among other things, participants learned about writing reports, preparing for trials and seeing defense attorneys points of view. DCSO is also asking for feedback on how its deputies perform on the stand. Beginning on April 10th, 2015, the office began requesting that every subpoena issued to law enforcement bureau personnel have an evaluation card attached. The card asks for district attorneys to complete a short survey about the deputy’s testimony. The results will then be used by the deputy and the DCSO to improve and/or maintain
Police officer in Florida testifies in the George Zimmerman trial in 2013.
“Each of us knows the importance of every as tice system and we know the value of prepari the importance of the testimony we give,” Ch said. “This will help us provide quality court te tions in Douglas County.”
The district attorney’s office has given a firm c will complete the evaluations.
“We spend an enormous amount of time con gations, arresting suspects and going through we want to make sure that we are well prepa ings objectively and clearly in any court of law
Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock teaches
The Briefing Room, a magazine of
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ce
p-notch
spect of the criminal jusing for our testimony and hief Deputy Steve Johnson estimony in investiga-
attorneys to rate the dep, preparation and objecvaluate the witness’ selfresponsiveness to questy to express technical le cross examination.
commitment that they
nducting thorough investih the judicial process. So ared to present our findw,” Johnson said.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Court training in 18th Judicial District.
s workshop with 18th District D.A. George Brauchler.
Bye, Bob!
Bob poses with his boss Captain Brad 10 Heyden on his last day of work. (Bob, even though you’re wearing camouflage, we can still see you.)
Bob Britton retires from the DCSO, where people “are straight-up.”
F
st
arewell, Bob Britton. Friday, May 1 was his last
day at work after serving residents and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for 24 years. He's retiring to spend time with his family and work on his ranch that has piglets and cows and a smart, faithful dog named “Boo.” Bob's had quite the life. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in agriculture education at CSU and was a teacher. At nights and on weekends, he was also a musician. He sang and played music at events across the country, including three times at the Grand Ole Opry. Bob’s band was also the opening act for stars like Merle Haggard. He was also a professional bull rider and has list of broken bones to prove it. He says he was just a ranch kid with guts at the age of 13 looking for a challenge/ Bob rode through high school and college. So we asked him, "What's tougher? Going 8 seconds or working for the Sheriff?" He laughed and said rodeo riding's tougher. "But there's still of a lot of bull in both places." Bob has a great relationship with Sheriff Tony Spurlock, who he affectionately calls “T”. Long ago, the Sheriff nicknamed Bob “Roberta” because he worked in an office with two ladies. Bob says he’s not going to miss getting up at five in the morning, but he will miss the people. “The people here are honest, they’re straight-up. What you see is what you get. It comes straight from the shoulder, and I like that,” he said. “I am going to miss it.” And we’ll miss him. The sheriff, commanders, friends and family sent him off in style last week with a big going away party, gifts and a yummy cake. So, this ride’s over for bob. He’s climbing on a gentle horse at age 72 and riding off where his wife of 54 years, 5 children, and more than a dozen grandkids and great grandkids will welcome him home.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of
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“T” gives “Roberta”
some going away gifts.
Bob’s dog Boo sniffs new piglets on the ranch.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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Thrills and Spills Deputies on two-wheels compete against other riders nationwide for title of fastest, most skilled, slowest and skilled and best team. The bikers in blue from DCSO, considered the underdogs, come out on top. Story next page.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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Chris Washburn, sergeant of the Traffic Unit, in the cones
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or three months, they trained hard. Tight turns, slow and steady, speed and accuracy. While most law enforcement motorcycle teams train year round for the Southwest Police Training and Motorcycle Competition in Phoenix in April, the motorcycle unit at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was only able to practice six times because they were needed on the road, working.
Their biggest rival, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMDP) with 120 full time riders, always send their best eight to the competition. For the last several years, they’ve swept it, taking first through third places in every skill set. The DCSO team has one part-time and five full-time riders. On On the slow ride, officers must negotiat top of that, this would be the first time in 19 years any Colorado agency was putting their feet down, hitting cones o going to compete. That made the DCSO unit the underdogs and unknown. first, taking third place. Then, Deputy A knocking Claudio into fourth. They were LVMPD officer who took third followed Not for long. After a few practice DCSO team roots for riders.
runs, even the Las Vegas team realized, “These Colorado boys can ride motorcycles,” said Sergeant Chris Washburn, leader of the DCSO motorcycle unit.
On the day of the competition, the DCSO bikers in blue rode hard, fast and clean. By the end of the morning session of the individual competition, Deputy Ryan Bechert was in first place in front of seven LVMPD officers. Deputy John Compton was 8th, with the rest of the unit in the top 20.
“The DCSO motor unit went t competition in Phoenix defini and unknown.” -Sgt. Chris Washburn, DCSO
During the pairs ride, two motorcycles three foot long rope. The riders need t and clean without breaking the rope or nold and Bechert finished just out of th
In the afternoon, Bechert’s wheel touched a cone, which gave him a two second penalty and steered him into fifth place. Deputy Trey Arnold posted the fastest clean run ever by a Harley Davidson rider and just 9/10th of one second behind the course record, posted by a more nimble and faster Honda. Deputy Ryan Bechert
The final skill competition, the four-man the riders weave through cone patterns When the day was done, four of the top ten spots were held by DCSO motor competition, Arnold, Bechert, Claudio a officers. Deputies Arnold, Bechert, McDowell and Compton. LVMPD took the place, bringing trophies home. Compto top three spots. with Phoenix PD, finished in third place
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DCSO’s motorcycle unit gets ready to rumble.
te a short, twisty course without or stopping. Deputy Felix Claudio went Arnold crawled his bike even slower, e both knocked out of place by a d by Arnold and Claudio.
to the ite underdogs
Deputy John Compton negotiates the course.
“The whole experience was an incredible amount of work, and the dedication of the motor officers to train and practice as hard as they did in preparation should be noted,” said Sgt. Washburn. “I am proud of the motor unit beyond words and very happy to have been with them to represent the DCSO at this regional competition. The other agencies that we competed against definitely realize that the DCSO is a premier agency with well-trained, well-disciplined deputies. I can’t wait until we get another opportunity to represent the sheriff’s office in a similar way.” Unknown underdogs no more.
are tethered side by side with a to go through a cone course fast r getting any other penalties. Arhe trophy ranking.
Deputy Trey Arnold wins fastest clean ride on Harley.
n team ride, requires precise timing as s close together. After some fierce and McDowell finished in second on and Washburn, who teamed up e, also bringing home trophies.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Spurlock is proud of the team. More than just a competition, the training keeps the riders sharp and safe on the road in an inherently dangerous job.
Deputy Felix Claudio moves quickly.
Deputy Phillip McDowell speeds up.
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A call sign from above “#59 and #64, please respond” They could have been assigned any number from one to 150 during the Southwest Police Motorcycle Training and Competition in Phoenix last month. Instead, two riders on the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office team were randomly assigned competition numbers that didn’t feel so random. Sgt. Chris Washburn, the team leader, became competitor 59. That was also his radio call number as a young deputy patrolling Douglas County on two wheels with his then-partner and friend, Deputy Ron King. Competitor Deputy Trey Arnold was assigned 64, the call sign for Ron King. Almost 16 years ago, Washburn and King were on their bikes, returning to the station from an assignment. A drunk driver slammed into them. He killed King, a beloved deputy who had served his community for 20 years. The driver also seriously injured Washburn, who fought for years to recover. Was it coincidence the motorcycle unit, competing for the first time since King’s death, was assigned 59 and 64? Or was it a call sign from above.
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Rid your home of hazardous chemicals Household chemical roundups offer a means for the public to properly dispose of household waste that could otherwise contaminate the water supply, air and landfills. Many common products found in one’s household may be hazardous to people or the environment if they are not used and disposed of properly. All roundup participants are asked to show proof of residence in Douglas County and pay $25 when dropping off chemicals. There will also be a free drop-and-swap area on site where people can take household cleaners, paint, car wax, antifreeze, fertilizer and garden products still in their original containers. Accepted items to drop off include house and garden chemicals, automotive fluids, fluorescent light bulbs, fuels, propane tanks between 1 and 20 pounds, vehicle and household batteries, items containing mercury, car and pickup truck tires off the rim, and oil-based paint and paint products. Items that will not be accepted include business and commercial waste, radioactive waste, electronic waste (computers, TVs, etc.), explosive waste, smoke detectors, waste containing asbestos, compressed gases other than propane, tractor tires, scrap metal and medical waste. The Tri-County Health department will host the first chemical roundup on May 9th at the Parker Joint Services Center, 17801 E. Plaza Drive, Parker, CO from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Other 2015 roundups for Douglas County residents include Aug. 8 at 3720 Redstone Circle in Highlands Ranch and Sept. 12 at 175 Kellog Court in Castle Rock. All three roundups are scheduled for 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information or to volunteer to help, please visit www.tchd.org/250/Home-ChemicalWaste or call Ellen Kennedy at 720-200-1592
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Safe Haven T
he Douglas County Sheriff's Office is offering its parking lot as a "safe haven" for buyers and sellers on Craigslist. If you're completing an online transaction, you can make the exchange here. “Most Internet-related crime involves personal scams and not in-person transactions”, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said, who described the parking lot as "a preventative measure to ensure there's a safe place to allow (buyers and sellers) to conduct their normal lives and business." The sheriff’s office staff won't be involved in the transactions or oversee them. If you plan on buying or selling items via Craigslist or any other online site, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office suggests that you conduct your transaction at the closest law enforcement station to protect both the buyer and seller. Douglas County Sheriff’s Offices Douglas County Justice Center 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Highlands Ranch substation 9250 Zotos Drive, Highlands Ranch
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The Briefing Room, a magazine of t
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79-year-old Joan Goldberg in Douglas County credits her youthful demeanor to staying physically active, keeping her mind sharp and volunteering.
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Residents are rapidly aging in Douglas County and the Sheriff wants to protect them.
W
hen 79-year-old Joan Goldberg moved to Castle Rock from Golden six year ago, her daughter worried her mom wouldn’t have many friends or much to do. Wendy Gable didn’t realize her mom was moving to a so-called senior paradise. In Douglas County, one out of every five residents is 60 or older. Seniors make up 7.1% of the county’s population, compared to 4% five years ago.
Joan Goldberg almost got taken by a scheme six years ago. Someone called pretending to be her grandson who was behind bars in Canada and needed $1500 to bail out. Joan was too shaken up to realize the voice wasn’t her grandson’s.
“Emotionally you’re caught up, and I responded, ‘Oh my God, are you OK?’” Joan said. She was in tears because she didn’t Joan and her daughter Wendy volunteering at a health fair in Castle Rock. “It was so easy for mom to make the transition,” said have the money, so Wendy. “She’s happy, she’s really involved in the she called her community, she’s made all these friends and they go daughter Wendy. out to eat and to the theater. I don’t have to worry about her.” “If she would have had the money, she By the year 2013, seniors are expected to be 20% of would have written the county population. In Colorado alone, the Dethem a check,” Wenpartment of Human Services expects in six years, dy said. “She called there will be about 1,100 centenarians or people 100 me crying saying, ‘My grandson’s in trouble in Canayears or older. da.’ But I told her he is fine, this is a scam and it’s on the news.” That’s why Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock has made protecting seniors a top priority. Their declin- Even more troubling to Wendy, her mom inadverting mental and physical health makes them perfect ently gave the bad guys personal information, includtargets for con men duping them out of their life sav- ing Wendy’s name, phone number and told them she ings. The scams keep coming fast and furiously had just received an inheritance. through mail, the phone and worldwide web. “If she gave them enough Wendy Gable is Joan’s daughter. of my personal infor“It just doesn’t stop. Scammers keep putting new mation, they could steal twists on old cons to trick and confuse their victims. my identity,” Wendy said. The bad guys deliberately try to scare older adults to send money, then count on them being too embarWendy came up with an rassed to report the crime after it happens,” Sheriff idea to protect her mom Spurlock said. from future questionable calls. She told Joan to let “That’s why I encourage everyone to check in on every single phone call go to voice mail – and then their moms, dads and grandparents. Ask questions only pick up the call if she recognizes the person callabout their finances to make sure they’re not being ing or knows the phone number or name on caller swindled out of their nest eggs.” I.D.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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“I told her if you don’t know who it is, don’t answer Beware of these: it,” Wendy said. That way, she’s not feeding into their Imposter Scams story emotionally and inadvertently giving out inforThe scammer will contact you via phone or mation. email and claim to be a law enforcement officer, a government agent (such as IRS), a Sheriff Spurlock says that’s a great tip to help keep debt collector, a utility company representaseniors safe from phone scams. He has several other tive, or a bail bondsman. The imposter will safety tips: often threaten to issue an arrest warrant, contact law enforcement, shut off a utility, or arrest a relative, unless immediate payment If you are contacted by someone identifying himwith a pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot self as Law Enforcement and demanding money, MoneyPak or other wire transfer is made. simply hang up and call your local law enforcement agency immediately. The Douglas County Grant Fraud and Lottery Scams Sheriff’s Office reminds you that no law enforceThe scammer will contact you with “news” ment agency contacts residents by phone, e-mail that you are a recipient or winner of a grant or regular mail and tells them to pay fees/fines by or lottery prize. In order to receive the grant wiring money, using pre-paid money cards, using or collect your lottery winnings, the scammer a money telegram, or using similar methods. says you have to pay fees or taxes right away via pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot Visit Grants.gov or Govloans.gov sites to find MoneyPak or other wire transfer. Sometimes grants and loans available thru the government. the scammer will send you a check as an adDon’t be fooled by other sites that have vance to “help” cover taxes and fees, with the ‘government’ or other official words in the title. empty promise of releasing the rest of the funds after you pay taxes/fees with a Money If you receive a check along with a request for a Pak. The check, of course, is later discovered pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot Moneyto be fake. Pak or other wire transfer fee payment, be wary.
Don’t use pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot MoneyPak or other wire transfer to pay taxes or fees to claim “winnings” on lottery or prize promotions.
If something doesn’t feel right – pay attention to your instincts and don’t become a victim.
Beware of cheap home repair work that would otherwise be expensive, regardless of the reason given. The con artist may just do part of the work, use shoddy materials and untrained workers, or simply take your deposit and never return. Don't buy health products or treatments that promise a quick and dramatic cure, appeals to emotion instead of reason, or a single product that cures many ills.
Online Auction/Sale Scams The scammer will post online ads for goods or services and request payment by pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot MoneyPak or other wire transfer. The goods or services don’t arrive and the “seller” is unreachable. Romance Scams Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and will go to great lengths to begin a longdistance relationship with you. At some point the fake profiler will tell you about a financial hardship or an ill family member and ask for you to send money via pre-paid credit or debit card, Green Dot MoneyPak or other wire transfer.
The Briefing Room, a magazine of t
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Sheriff Spurlock warns you about the latest scams.
Cick on the movies to watch
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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Band together to beat burglars
E
ven though the crime rate in Douglas County is low in comparison to other counties in the Denver area, people who live here have experienced daytime residential burglaries. As your sheriff my top priority is keeping you safe from crime, but I can’t do it effectively without your assis-
tance.
Burglars are opportunists who are much more likely to target your home if you make it easy for them. In this article you will receive information regarding how burglars operate, as well as tips to dramatically reduce your chances of becoming a burglary victim. Some burglars are scam artists who check out your home by posing as a legitimate visitor. Others may knock on your door to see if anyone is home and then tell you they are looking for someone else if you answer the door, but they may try to break in if no one answers when they knock. Most residential burglaries occur during the day, burglars take less than one minute to break in, and spend no more than 10 minutes inside. They typically take small items that are easy to find and carry like money, jewelry, guns and small electronic devices. Helpful tips to avoid becoming a victim: Join Neighborhood Watch and work with your neighbors to look out for each other and report suspicious activities to police while they are occurring. Close and lock all doors and windows during the day and night – including garage doors and the door from the garage into the home. Don’t let strangers into your home or provide your schedule to people you don’t know or trust. Don’t leave valuables in plain view inside or outside your home. Make your home look “lived in” even when you aren’t home by stopping mail, papers, and having lights on timers . For more useful information on crime prevention, please contact Community Resources at 303-660-7544.
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Are you ready if fire comes? Visit the County’s new wildfire preparedness page and take a moment to sign up for CODE RED emergency notifications, view the County’s Disaster Preparedness Guide and more.
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Stepping back in time... Sheriff Spurlock helped the family of former Sheriff John Hammond pour through historical records from the time he served in 1947 through 1970. Spurlock shared the documents with Hammond's daughter Bonnie Bell, grandson John Bell and his wife, Patti. Fun fact: Sheriff John L. Hammond holds the title as Douglas County's longest serving sheriff.
Sheriff Hammond on his horse Penny in 1948
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40 years and
Over the years, Lt. Larry Nobl
L
arry Nobel has seen it all in his forty y fice. He worked here before deputies smart phones), before there were strobe ligh and computers in the cars), and has outlaste missioner Roger Partridge put it, “He has se
When Nobel started as a dispatcher in 1975 mood rings and Rubik’s cubes were popular, He got a $200 a month boost in pay when he was a rough start. The first traffic ticket he w dismissed because the driver told the judge to tell his side of the story. Today, Nobel is a widely respected by the men and women wh
“This is a family. And I appreciate being part January at the Douglas County Board of Com vice.
Sheriff Tony Spurlock says he’s proud to be him for 35 years. Spurlock says Nobel has s
“If you think about the things that Larry has s people in Douglas County, it’s unimaginable, been part of horrific events, seen tragic and willing to serve.”
Former Sheriff Steve Zotos also thanked No your years of dedication. You helped us grow ment,” Zotos said.
Former Sheriff David Weaver said Noble has get things done. “It’s about the heart, dedica of the DCSO foundation,” Weaver said.
Lt. Noble received a standing ovation from th he said he appreciated the support and the c
Along with a plaque, Sheriff Spurlock also ga his future. When Nobel asked if he would ret
The Briefing Room, a magazine of t
d counting…
le has worked for five sheriffs.
years at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Ofs used portable radios (now they use hts on patrol cars (now there are cameras ed five sheriff’s. As Douglas County Comrved millions and protected millions.”
making $425 a month at the age of 20, , along with pet rocks and 8-track tapes. e became a patrol deputy a year later. It wrote when a driver ran a stop sign was he stopped and Noble didn’t get a chance a lieutenant in the Patrol Division and ho report to him.
t of this family,” Nobel said at a party in mmissioners to recognize his years of ser-
Noble’s sheriff and to have worked with served with honor and distinction.
seen and done in 40 years to serve the ,” Sheriff Tony Spurlock said. “He has wonderful things, and he’s still here
obel for his service. “I appreciate all of w and become an exceptional depart-
s always been someone to count on to ation and giving it all. You’re truly a part
he crowd of his family and friends after chance to be part of the DCSO family.
ave Noble a Magic 8 Ball to “predict” tire soon, the 8 Ball showed, “No sign.”
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You’re invited to the DC Proud DC Strong 5k and Festival The event, held by alumni and friends of Douglas County, is Saturday, May 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Location: Douglas County High School, 2842 Front Street, Castle Rock, Colorado. For more information, click here.
PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITY ON DOUGLAS COUNTY MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE-(That’s an all hazards plan for a tornado, wildfire, flooding, to work on mitigating the impact to property owners and the county. )
Douglas County Emergency Management is hosting an open house and workshop. The open house is part of the Douglas County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Project. Douglas County, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Lone Tree, Parker, and the Denver Water Board are developing a comprehensive Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update to reduce the vulnerability of people and impact to property in the County. All interested parties are invited. The Multi-Hazards Planning Open House will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 between 6:00 and 7:30pm at the Douglas County Events Center (500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock, CO). For more information on this project, contact Anne Walton at 303-814-4356 or alwalton@douglas.co.us.
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T
he Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard posted the colors during the Public Safety Radio Summit at Mile High Stadium on March 12, 2015.
The honor guard conducted the opening flag ceremony while Deputy - Chaplain Tim Ralph gave the invocation. The guard includes Investigations Detective Christine Brite, Detention Deputy Ian Hutcheon, Patrol Deputy Daniel Potter, Patrol Deputy Derek Castellano and Detention Deputy Chad Mason. On the right is Deputy-Chaplain Tim Ralph.
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From tame to treacherous
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ouglas County Sheriff Deputies attended the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) training course in Chandler, Arizona.
The IPMBA is the premier training organization for public safety cyclists. Since its founding in 1992, IPMBA has trained thousands of public safety professionals in safe and effective law enforcement bicycle operations. Congratulations to Deputies Lyle Peterson, Mike Adams, and Erik Brown for completing the training course!
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Wildland fire hand crew training at Spruce Mountain Open Space in Larkspur. In April, the crew cut brush and limbs away from the trails and put the slash over areas where people have been cutting off the switchbacks, said DCSO Wildland Fire Coordinator Mike Alexander. The work simulates the environment and tactics used to cut fire line on a wildfire which means it helps open space and provides training for the hand crew.
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Fallen Hero License Plates
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herever you go, you can be recognizing the risks police officers face every day and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect us.
You can do that with a Fallen Hero license plate, which is now being offered by the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. To get one, the driver has to make a $50 donation to Colorado COPS, which stands for Colorado Concerns of Police Survivors. It’s an easy way to show pride, support officer and display your gratitude to those who have died serving our communities. At least 3,000 license plates have to be sold by January, 2018 to keep them in production. The president of Colorado COPS says they haven’t sold enough yet to meet the minimum requirement. “Our records show that we are only at 44% (1330) of the 3000 plates requirement. In order for COPS to maintain the financial support we need to serve our survivors it is imperative that we reach the minimum milestone and keep the distributing these beautiful plates for years to come,“ Don Enloe, president of Colorado COPS, said. There is no simpler or quicker way to show your support for our important mission. The money goes straight to Colorado COPS and stays here to support Colorado Survivors, getting them to National Hands-On Training and local events bring us all together to shed a tear and share a smile. The organization is dedicated to helping families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
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t was an honor this year to be a part of the St Baldrick’s fundraiser to help fight children’s cancer. We were at the Douglas County fairgrounds in Castle Rock Colorado where countless people showed up to donate their money and their hair for this great cause.
Thanks to Niles Ackerson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Ashley Paulsen for helping to organize this amazing event. They did a wonderful job! -- From Ralston Photo Watch a video of the event by Ralson Photo
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Do you Tweet? Then, follow commanders at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter to stay in the loop.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office @DCSheriff
Sheriff Tony Spurlock @SheriffSpurlock
Patrol Captain Darren Weekly @DWeeklyDCSO
Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth @HKluthDCSO
Detention Captain Kevin Duffy @KDuffyDCSO
Administrative Services Chief Deputy Tim Moore @TMooreDCSO
Investigations Captain Jason Kennedy @JKennedyDCSO
Law Enforcement Chief Deputy Steve Johnson @SJohnsonDCSO
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Support Services Captain Brad Heyden @BHeydenDCSO
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My Internship Ex- whether they were mentally insane, low class, medium perience By Chelsea Hodges, Thunderridge High School Senior I'm a senior at Thunderridge High School in Highlands Ranch, and I recently got one of the most unique opportunities in my entire life; to explore what it's like to work in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This included observing dispatch, booking, the crime lab, evidence, investigations, the lobby, the jail, going on a ride-along. I've always been drawn to the field of law enforcement and criminal justice, I am very intrigued by the psychology of criminals, why they do what they do, and how all the departments within the sheriff's office come together.
“It doesn't just take a deputy to do all the work, there are many people with different types of jobs within the sheriff office.� --Chelsea Hodges, Thunderridge High School
The amount of knowledge I've gained from my observations in the different departments is something I'll never forget. The first department I started observing was the lobby, then the Detention Division, followed-up by bookings. The lobby is initially the place people go visit inmates. Going down to the jail for a tour was exciting and nerve-wrecking. I'd never been in a jail, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm thankful that everybody all throughout my experience interning was incredibly opening, welcome, and helpful. On the way down to the jail, there were so many secure doors to go through, it was interesting to see how locked and secure the jail is kept. Booking was the first thing I saw walking in, and I never really knew what happened in booking, I never thought about the process people have to go through when getting arrested. Booking is where the arrested fill out paperwork, information about their physical appearance has to be noted, they get a call to someone if they know they have an opportunity to be bailed out. When deputies bring in inmates from other jurisdictions or move an inmate to another jail, they load them in and out of transport vans in a secure sally port underground, just outside of the booking area. I was taken aback when I actually got to see inmates, and see their lifestyle. The jail is kept really nice and clean, and it was interesting to see how they categorized inmates,
class, or high class crimes, and of course categorized by gender.
Dispatch was a very interesting department to observe. All I had seen of dispatch was on TV and movies, so I expected to walk into a room full of people taking 9-1 Deputi -1 calls constantly, but that was not the case. There were four people, one taking calls from peop ment dispatch, another taking 9-1-1 em fire agencies, and another taking calls a much work these people put into makin dispatch, you have to type a lot, know a ties on the roads. On the 911 call-takin in, and there's a separate number peop There's a process each 911 call-taker ha calls. They have to ask a series of questi rotate around each person and see and bly grateful that all those four people in to answering my questions, even thoug
The next thing I did was ride-along with I've always wanted to do a ride-along s officer who took me on as his ride-alon was very interesting to be inside a polic vehicle and how the officers communic ing calls. I got to go to a few calls with t take care of different situations. I was s definitely p near future
Fingerprints in the Crime Lab
Crim what I expe ies. The evi building no a whole bui different ca weapons, d ers. The crim they store p
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ies show Chelsea the BearCAT
ple needing help from law enforcemergency calls, one taking calls from about fires. It was shocking to see how ng sure our safety is first. To work in a lot of codes, and interact with depug, there are different calls that come ple can call for non-emergencies. as to take when answering emergency tions, and always remain calm. I got to d hear what they do, and I was incredin dispatch were so friendly and open gh they were busy at work.
h a deputy. That was exciting, because so I was both nervous and excited. The ng was very welcoming and helpful. It ce car, to see what goes on inside the cate with dispatchers, and see incomthe deputy and see firsthand how they so grateful for that opportunity, and I plan on doing another ride-along in the e.
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like burglaries, auto thefts and murder. The crime lab technicians keep those photographs forever. There is also a fingerprint scanning station, a room where they use different goggles and lights to see fingerprints, liquids, and markings on evidence- and a lab room where testing can be done. I wondered how someone can look at crime scenes, some more gruesome than others. The crime technician said everybody in this field needs an outlet, whether that's exercising, writing, singing, any hobby, seeing a therapist, just an outlet of some sort, because this job can take a toll on you if you let it consume your life. Overall, this internship taught me the general overview of the sheriff's office, and that it doesn't just take a deputy to do all the work, there are many people with different types of jobs within the sheriff office. I am still figuring out what line of work I want to do within this field, but I probably wouldn't be a deputy/cop, what deputies do is something not everyone can do, it's a dangerous, but very rewarding Property and evidence storage job, I definitely see myself doing something more along the lines of criminal psychology or profiling. I would suggest others into this line of work however, because law enforcement is a very rewarding field. I feel that if you go into this field with good intentions, you're putting out good efforts, and you're making the world a safer, better place. After my experience with this internship, I can confidently say that I have much more respect for law enforcement than before, I'm more educated on all the jobs and different positions people have within this field, and I got to see firsthand how much dedication it takes to fulfill a job within law enforcement.
If I had the chance to tell other students about cops and any information gained about them after this internship, it's that cops do deserve the me lab and evidence room were not utmost respect, I got to know a good amount of deputies through my internected from what I see on TV and mov- ship, and every single deputy was nothing but kind to me, some even had dence room was basically a separate conversations with me regarding my future and gave me some tips on what ot too far from the courthouse, and it's to expect if I chose to be a deputy. Those tips were that you don't need to go ilding full of evidence, separated into to college and study to be a cop, so if you decide being a cop is for you, alategories, whether it's paperwork, ways have a back-up plan, go to school and study something else, so that if drugs or electronic items like comput- being a cop doesn't work out in the long-term, you have something to fall me lab consisted of a room for where back on. It's been an incredible experience, and this internship solidifies that photographs of evidence from cases law enforcement is the fieldwork for me.
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ouglas County Sheriff’s Office School Marshals working hard protecting the Northridge Elementary children! This snake, held by Deputy John Glassburner, is a 7-year-old python name Sundrop. She’s 6 foot long. Sundrop belongs to a pet owner who traveled to Northridge Elementary and other schools in March to teach students about wildlife. Deputy Glassburner and the kids also got to hold a 45-pound tortoise, scorpions and a tarantula.
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Reducing stress on the job How can you de-stress in a high-pressure environment where lives are on the line? At the DCSO, our 9-1-1 dispatchers are walking and biking -- while they work! The fitness equipment is in their work area, allowing dispatchers to peddle and move while they answer emergency calls. In 2014, dispatchers got two treadmills. In 2015, they added a stationary bike. Sheriff Tony Spurlock promotes the fitness, since the dispatchers' jobs are sedentary and stressful. So far, the call takers love them!
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After six weeks of very intense and grueling training in March, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has three new staff members. Their names are Atlas, Scooter and Tank. Atlas will be the partner of Deputy Michael Morris. Scooter will be the partner of Deputy Brad Proulx, and Tank will partner with Deputy Marcella Kelly.
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Marcella Kelly with K-9 Tank.
Deputy Brad Proulx with K-9 Scooter.
Deputy Michael Morris with K-9 Atlas.
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DCSO deputies handcuff radio talk show hosts to raise money
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February, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies “arrested” Slacker and Steve, two radio talk show hosts from Alice 105.9. It was for a good cause. Slacker and Steve made an on-air wager that if 15 people called into the Alice 105.9 Cares for Kids radio-thon and made a big donation, they’d put their hands behind their backs. It worked. Deputy Brian Pereira handcuffed Steve so he could live up to his wager. The radio-thon raised money for the Colorado Children’s Hospital and Miracle Network. This year it raised more than $1.8 million for the Children’s Hospital. Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ASCO) and other metro area first responders answered calls and took donations during the two hour event. Deputy Pereira, Deputy Kevan Carlson, Deputy Randy Allen, Deputy Amanda Weiss, Deputy Jennifer Newton and Specialist Colleen Herringshaw participated from Douglas County. Sergeant Melissa Williams was also there from the ACSO.
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Connect with us Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website www.DCSheriff.net Twitter DC Sheriff @DCSheriff
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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 303.660.6500