Sheriff's office busy in new building

Sheriff's office busy in new building

January 15, 2002

From the Sheriff's Department

By Sgt. Steve Dekruger

Happy New Year from the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office. We have moved into our new building, and it is business as usual. The new facility is very nice. We have room to grow as our county grows. The old jail is getting ready to be remodeled to house Community Corrections clients.

We have had some restructuring in our office. I have taken the position of Director for Community Corrections Division.

I also will be coordinating the Citizens Police Academy. The academy will start on Feb. 21. Come to the front office of the Sheriff’s Office and fill out an application. The academy is fun!

I am very excited about this position, and I will be working very hard for the Sheriff’s Office to make both programs successful.

Deputy R.K. Hoffman has been promoted to patrol sergeant. He is an 11-year veteran in police work. Sgt. Hoffman is also our firearms instructor, and is a K-9 handler. Congratulations to Sgt. Hoffman in his new position.

Detective Hugh Richards has left our agency and has moved his knowledge to the District Attorney’s office. Hugh has taken the place of D.A. Investigator Jim Davenport. Jim has been in law enforcement for 30+ years and finally decided to retire. Jim and the Sheriff’s Office staff have worked hand in hand for years, on all kinds of cases. Jim Davenport, you are one of my role models. Good luck, big guy.

We have hired new personnel for the Detentions Division. Welcome aboard to Kolby Shields, Eddie Mac Taylor, David Bowen, Joe Ghere, and Bruce Pope.

We have also hired three new patrol deputies: Francisco Reyes, James Utley, and Tisha Strawn. These deputies have passed the requirements of the Police Officers Training and Standards of Colorado. They are certified officers. Love your job, guys — I do.

Detective Steve Harmon was the recipient of the prestigious Deputy of the Year Award, Operations Division. Detective Harmon is the Senior Detective with our office. He has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. Detective Harmon was instrumental in solving the Martinez homicide case.

Deputy Joe Lard received the prestigious Deputy of the Year award for the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division. Deputy Lard (who came to the Sheriff’s Office when the mountains were molehills) began in June, 1985 and is the longest-working deputy on our staff. Good job, Joe!

I am sad to announce that one of our K-9s has been forced into retirement. Kilo became very ill one day before working on the night shift. He is better now, but is still not satisfactory for police work. Now he has become the family pet of his handler, Sgt. Mike Marston Jr.

Kilo has been involved in numerous tracks and drug searches. He worked for fun, and the thrill of the chase. All you ever had to do to repay Kilo was to pat him on the head and let him know he was loved.

Your sheriff wants to hear if we are performing our duties and responsibilities since our big move into our new facility. Is our facility what you expected? Can you find where you need to go when you come here? How is our phone system? Can you get hold of a deputy when you need to speak to one?

Sheriff Joey Chavez wants to know. You can reach him by mail at: Sheriff Joey Chavez, 730 E. Driscoll, Cortez, CO 81321. If you would like, phone hime at 565-8452. Or, you may contact me at 565-8452, ext. 324. We would be happy to speak to you about our facility or any problems that may have arisen.

Our agency has logged 179 DUI arrests this year. This was a joint effort of Deputy Buck Woodman and Deputy Jason Spruell. Both of these deputies pursued drunk drivers, making our roads and highways safer.

The Sheriff’s Office participates in "The Heat Is On Campaign." This campaign is conducted throughout the state. The officer’s main function with the campaign is to apprehend drunk drivers from our roadways. The statistics are then reported to the state for those days.

Chavez, a past DUI officer himself, encourages all of his deputies to pursue DUIs. He hopes that the drivers of the vehicles in Montezuma County are responsible and do not take a chance by drinking too much, driving your vehicle, and getting a "tour" of our new jail facility.

We at the Sheriff’s Office hope you all have a prosperous and happy new year.