November 19, 2015 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 42 | 75¢
ElbertCountyNews.net A publication of
E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Veteran receives surprise honor French government presents award for World War II service By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media At a Nov. 9 ceremony in the Colorado Capitol, the Honorable Jeffery Richards, Esq., honorary consul for the French government, presented five Colorado World War II veterans with the Knight of the Legion of Honor. One of the honorees was Elbert County resident Odell “Jack” Plylar. Honor continues on Page 4
Deputies undergo arrest technique training at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Deputies get training in tactics Fingertip pressure technique is among program’s lessons By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Inside the Agricultural Building at the Elbert County Fairgrounds, commands are shouted and handcuffs click, but it is not a raid and there are no arrests being made. Elbert County sheriff’s deputies are participating in a class on arrest
control techniques, one in a series of annual programs required by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board for police officers and deputies to keep their certifications current. The drills are designed to reinforce the instruction officers received during their initial training at their respective police academies as well as to introduce updated techniques, such as responses to active and passive resistance, while at the same time keeping the deputies safe.
One element of the training includes a pressure point control tactic. According to the Human Factor Research Group, PPCT uses fingertip touch pressure on nerve pressure points as a way to control suspects who are providing low-level resistance during an arrest. For individuals offering a higher level of resistance, deputies are trained in defensive counterstrikes. Deputies continues on Page 4
The Honorable Jeffrey Richards, honorary consul general of France, left, presents the French Legion of Honor medal to Odell “Jack” Plylar. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Veterans Day offers lessons in patriotism at school event Kiowa High School presentation highlights military service By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Students and faculty at Kiowa High School paid honor to local veterans at an assembly in the school gymnasium on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. For 31 years, fifth-grade teacher Polly Ehlers has been organizing the annual celebration. Ehlers’ father was a veteran, as were many of the men in Kiowa she grew up around. “I was raised in a family where the importance of patriotism was very high,”
Ehlers said. “It’s important that we teach that to the young kids.” An honor guard from the American Legion Post 82 in Elizabeth opened the ceremony with the presentation of the colors, followed by the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Throughout the program, students from various classes, ranging from grade school to high school, honored the nearly 30 local veterans in attendance with readings and music. The Kiowa High School Honor Society performed the Setting of the White Table Ceremony. Also referred to as the Missing
Event continues on Page 4
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.
Kiowa High School student Wyatt McKnight performs taps. Photo by Rick Gustafson