Sheriff’s Office Offers Citizen’s Unique Learning Opportunity at PCSO Citizens Academy
Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is proud to offer a Law Enforcement- Citizens Academy for the residents of Pueblo County. The Citizen’s Academy will cover a variety of subjects all related to the day-to-day operations of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. Participants in the academy will be instructed in a variety of topics to include:
Patrol/Detention/Emergency Services Bureau Operations
Narcotics
Identity theft/Crime Prevention
Bomb Squad/Bomb Robot
Criminal Investigations
Tactical Teams
Less-than-Lethal force
Patrol Ride-a-long
Gangs
Firearms Safety
Crime Scene Techniques
The three-hour classes will be held every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, 909 Court St, Pueblo. The 11 week academy is FREE and begins March 7, 2012. There will be a wide variety of instructors who have years of experience in their field. Participants who complete the academy will keep the Sheriff’s Academy manual, receive a graduation certificate, a t-shirt, and a department pin as part of the graduation ceremonies scheduled for the final week.
“National emphasis is being placed on the roles of citizen awareness, reporting, volunteering, and preparedness. This class is our commitment to engage our citizen’s and ask each one to place a high value on their contributions to safety and security. We do some fascinating things here, and I encourage people to come learn more.” said Sheriff Kirk M Taylor.
The popularity of the Academy has increased over the years and it does have a limited class size of 20 students. Those interested can contact Rosie Harsh 583-6407 or Stefana Adcock 583-6438 for further information, or for an application brochure. Deadline for applications is March 2nd.
Application for Citizen’s Academy
Citizen’s Academy
PCSO is offering a Citizen’s Academy beginning March 6! Interested? Contact Rosie 583-6407.
January 20, 2012
Structure Fire in Beulah
Residents in the Beulah area called 911 just after 1:15 pm today to report heavy smoke and a possible structure fire close to Highway 78 West at 12 Mile Road. When Beulah Fire arrived they were able to confirm the structure was a home and requested additional fire resources from Rye Fire, West Park Fire, Red Creek Volunteer Fire, and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau. Beulah Ambulance also responded as a precautionary measure. The residents weren’t home initially but did arrive shortly afterward and were able to confirm that no one was inside the burning structure. The address was determined to be in the 9200 Block of Pine Dr (Hwy 78 West turns into Pine Dr just east of San Isabel National Forest). The cause of the fire has not yet been determined but will be investigated once the fire is completely out. “The family believes they may have lost two pets in this fire, but we are very glad the people in the family are all accounted for. This house is, unfortunately, a total loss.” said Beulah Fire Fighter and Incident Commander, Bryan Ware, who was still coordinating fire suppression efforts two hours after the first report. The agencies mentioned above all remain on-scene shuttling water and extinguishing the flames and any “hot-spots”. The victims advocacy group, ACOVA, is also on-scene offering support.
January 3, 2012
Sheriff Taylor Announces Scholarship
Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor announced today that County Sheriffs of Colorado, Inc. (CSOC), the state Sheriffs’ Association, will award a $500 scholarship to a deserving Pueblo County student next spring. CSOC established the scholarship program in 1978. Since then, this effort has continued as a meaningful expression of the Sheriffs’ confidence in and respect for education and training. CSOC considers this an investment in the future and believes that our membership is helping to provide deserving students with an opportunity to make a positive contribution to society.
In addition to the $500 scholarships, one recipient will be selected from among the county winners to receive an additional $1,000 Eugene and Becky Battles Scholarship. Mr. Eugene D. Battles, who was from Denver, Colorado, made a decision in 1994 to support the Office of Sheriff and County Sheriffs of Colorado by donating his estate for the benefit of future endeavors decided upon by the CSOC/Battles Trust Board. Eugene Battles was a charter member of CSOC and a 27-year member of the National Sheriffs’ Association.
Announcements and application packages have been mailed to school district offices in the county and all Colorado higher education institutions. Applications are also available online at www.csoc.org, or at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s office, which is located at 909 Court St.
Sheriff Taylor explained that this is the 33rd year that County Sheriffs of Colorado has made such scholarships available. A scholarship will be awarded in more than thirty Colorado counties this year. Applications will be reviewed by a local citizens’ committee appointed by Sheriff Taylor, and a selection will be made on the basis of criteria established by CSOC. This criterion includes leadership, merit, character, involvement and career purpose.
Any legal permanent resident of Pueblo County enrolled in, or applying to, a vocational training program or institution of higher learning in the State of Colorado as a full- or part-time student is eligible to apply. There are no restrictions as to the course of study or training which may be pursued, and no restrictions are placed upon applications by reason of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.
For more information, contact your local high school, college, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s office or County Sheriffs of Colorado.
December 16, 2011
Pueblo’s Metro Bomb Squad and South Region Counties Share New Resource
December 16, 2011: Colorado Homeland Security- South Region is the proud new owner of a Metro Bomb Squad Response Vehicle. The $242,000 vehicle was 100% funded through the Colorado Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and is possible only because of the wide reaching cooperation among the South Region Counties (Pueblo, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, and Las Animas). The South region counties share resources, funding requests, and provide mutual aid for each other during crisis events.
Similarly, the Pueblo Police Department and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office have had a longstanding partnership in several types of response and “bomb” response is no exception. The two agencies formed the “Metro Bomb Squad” in 2008. Since then, every response call to improvised explosive devices or IEDs is a joint effort of that team, regardless of the jurisdiction. The new truck lets the Metro Bomb Squad extend that mutual aid commitment beyond the county line. It is available to every response agency in the region and when a request is made, the response comes with more than the vehicle. The truck is loaded with specialized equipment and is dispatched with two certified bomb-technicians on-board. The vehicle will replace a much smaller and outdated response vehicle that could not meet the needs of the Metro Bomb Squad. The Metro Bomb Squad is comprised of Certified Hazardous Device Technicians from both the Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. The team responds to between 20 and 25 calls each year. Of those calls, approximately 25% are either real Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s), or dangerous chemicals and explosives.
Pueblo Police Chief Luis Velez took official possession of the vehicle this morning. “This response vehicle will assist the Metro Bomb Squad in protecting the citizens of our community. It is a wonderful asset to our community.” Sheriff Taylor believes the vehicle benefits the residents of Pueblo and beyond. “We had the equipment and training, but truly needed this vehicle to make the vision of this type of regional response a reality. Now we have it.”
Citizens Urged to Practice Good Judgment & Take Precautions to Stay Safe on Frozen Waterways
December 16, 2011: In many of the Colorado communities, the cold winter temperatures have formed ice over lakes, ponds, and streams. The Pueblo Area is no exception. While most of the waterways in Pueblo County do form ice, most ice here is unsafe to walk on. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Pueblo City Fire Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office- Emergency Services Bureau, Rye Fire Protection District, and Pueblo West Fire Department urge everyone not to play or walk onto the ice. It is best to always assume that unsafe ice conditions may exist and that ice thickness will vary from place to place and day to day.
We do recognize that many citizens and guests of Pueblo County ice fish, hunt waterfowl, ice skate and enjoy other activities on the ice at higher elevations, where the colder temperatures are a constant throughout the winter. In these locations, you can enjoy safe winter outdoor recreation by following a few basic ice safety rules. In general, four inches of ice will provide a margin of safety and is considered safe for ice fishing and ice-skating. Snowmobiles and ATV’s however, need at least five inches of ice thickness. If there is any question about thickness and conditions of the ice, the best advice is “stay off”. Signs of unsafe ice include: ice of different colors, water on top of the ice, cracks, pressure ridges, open water and bubbles in the ice. Also, beware of ice covered with snow. Sometimes the snow serves as insulation, keeping the ice from melting. Other times, the snow has the opposite effect, insulating the surface from freezing.
If you do venture onto the ice for a winter activity, remember the following ice safety tips:
• Don’t do ice activities solo. Having someone with you means they can call or send for help if you fall in.
• If you are with someone that falls through the ice, remember Reach-Throw-Go. If you can’t reach the person from shore, throw them a flotation device or a rope. If you still can’t help the person quickly – go for help.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol increases your chance for hypothermia, which is the loss of body temperature. It can also lower your inhibitions, increasing the likelihood that you might take risks you otherwise wouldn’t take.
• Always wear a life jacket. Wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) over winter clothing. Life jackets can provide excellent flotation and protection from hypothermia.
• Assemble and wear a personal safety kit. Always wear a safety kit on your body when you know you’re going out onto the ice. Safety kits should include an ice pick, rope and a whistle to call for help.
• Keep your pets on a leash. Don’t allow your dog to run out onto the ice and never walk your dog near a frozen lake or pond without a leash. If your pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Go for help. If the ice couldn’t support the weight of your animal, it can’t support you.
Even with the best planning and preparation, accidents can happen. If you do fall through the ice, remember these tips:
• Don’t panic. Try to remain calm to conserve as much energy as possible. Try to get your arms onto the ice and kick as hard as you can with your feet to help lift you onto the ice, and then roll to safety. If you can’t get out of the cold water by yourself, take appropriate actions to extend your survival time while waiting to be rescued.
• Do not swim. Swimming will cause your body to lose heat much faster than if you stay as still as possible.
• Act slowly and deliberately to conserve heat. Expect a progressive decrease in your strength and ability to move. Make the harder maneuvers at the beginning, while you can.
• Keep your upper body above water. Keep your head and upper body as far out of the water as reasonably possible to conserve body heat.
No one can guarantee you that the ice is safe. The decision to go out onto the ice is personal and should be made only after taking all the precautions to reduce the risk.
December 13, 2011
Successful Horse Rescue a Joint Effort
December 13, 2011: Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo Rural Fire Department, Pueblo County Road and Bridge, and Pueblo Animal Control responded to a confined space rescue this afternoon. The attached images show the successful rescue of a 4-year-old pregnant mare from a 7-foot hole.
The rescue took place in the 61 thousand block of Huckleberry Road (the far eastern portion of Pueblo County). Veterinarians from Mesa Animal Hospital were able to get vital signs on the foal after the rescue and reports were positive. The mare is home and doing well tonight. Her owners are keeping a close eye on her for signs that the stress might lead to an early labor.
Why Pueblo County Road and Bridge? Their ditch maintenance equipment was perfect for lifting the mare up and out of the hole. Their efforts, combined with the specialty training of the other agencies on scene, are the reason this was a success.
PCSO Emergency Services Bureau Chief Mark Mears, “Animal rescues give us practice and confidence. That translates to experience and when a human life is at stake, we all know we can successfully work together.”
November 30, 2011
Deputy Rescues Elderly in House Fire
On November 29, 2011 at approximately 11:51 PM, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call on a house fire in the 2500 block of Catalpa St. in Eastern Pueblo County. Deputy Brandon Talton immediately responded to the house where he saw smoke coming from the attic of the home. Deputy Talton was approached by the home owner Loren Hawkins (78 yo male) who stated his wife was still in the home and on oxygen. Deputy Talton entered the burning home, found and assisted Colleen Hawkins (78 yo female) to safety. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins were both transported to Parkview Medical Center Emergency Room due to smoke inhalation. Deputy Talton was also treated on scene by American Medical Response and the Rural Fire Department.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins had lived in the home for approximately 55 years and the home was not insured. The house has not been deemed a total loss, but a new roof will be needed. They are currently staying with a family member. Sheriff Taylor stated, “The conduct of Deputy Talton in this dangerous situation clearly demonstrates our office’s commitment to ‘Service over Self’.”
November 23, 2011
Community Effort for Justice
On November 23, 2011 at approximately 2:25 AM, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Talton was doing his routine check of businesses in Pueblo West. Finding two businesses with doors open in the 100 blk of S. Tiffany Dr., Deputy Talton did a search of the businesses with his K-9 partner P.C. No one was found in the building, several computers and other items were found stashed outside the door and equipment in the businesses had been damaged.
Richard Neales, owner of Comwest Digital was contacted and had surveillance video of the suspect. This morning, Mr. Neales enhanced the video and posted it on Facebook. Followers of his page began sending him information on who the man in the video might be. He then gave that information to the Sheriff’s Office for follow-up.
With the enhanced photos, information from local citizens and businesses, Sheriff’s Deputies Levi Domer and Michael Herrera were able to identify and arrest Joseph Burdesh (29 yo male).
The amount of damages was estimated to be $5500.
Sheriff Taylor commented, “This case shows how information technology, community awareness and basic law enforcement can come together to keep our community safe.”
If you have any information about this crime or others, please contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (710)542-STOP(7867).
Sheriff’s Office Breaks another Theft Ring
In August 2011 Deputies from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office began two investigations of burglaries that occurred, one in the 1200 block of S. Winterhaven Dr. in Pueblo West and the other in the 4500 block of Overton Rd. in Eastern Pueblo County.
In September 2011, Deputy Clifford Kindred recovered several stolen items and documents in the names of the victims from the Pueblo West burglary. The cases were then assigned to Detective Gregory Drake for further investigation.
Detectives were led to an address on E Homer Dr. from an interview done with a confirmed source who detailed that Jeff Shenefelt, Derek Bronken, Leon Manning and Randolph Wisdom had been involved in numerous burglaries and detailed that several stolen items were currently stored at a residence on E. Homer Dr.
During the investigation, a total of six additional burglaries were found associated with this group. Many had not yet been reported because they were vacant. As well as burglaries, it was determined that these men had also broken into vehicles in the same areas.
A search warrant was executed at 137 E Homer Dr on September 9, 2011. Numerous stolen items were seized which had been stolen from five of the criminal acts.
This investigation netted a total of twenty-eight (28) Felony Warrants with a combined bond of $1,040,000.00.
As of this time, four (4) suspects are in custody and three (3) are being held at the Pueblo County Detention Facility and one (1) in Fremont County.
Leon Manning (20 yo male) originally arrested on Nov. 4, 2011 on a Failure to appear warrant.
Derek Bronken (18 yo male) originally arrested on Nov. 15, 2011 on warrants for Aggravated Robbery, 1st Degree Burglary and 2nd Degree Assault from a home invasion that occurred on E Dwight Dr. in Pueblo West in October of this year.
Jeffrey Shenefelt (28 yo male) originally arrested on Nov. 19, 2011 on a Failure to appear warrant.
Randolph Wisdom (26 yo male) In custody in Fremont County on unrelated charges.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for the following parties in connection with these cases. The warrants include charges for Theft by receiving ($1000 – $20,000), violation of the Pawn Brokers Act, 2nd Degree Burglary, 1st Degree Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespassing, Theft ($1000 – $20,000) and Theft (5:00 – $1000)
Janet Ralya (28 yo female)
Justin VanMeter (31 yo male)
Jarrett Torbett (20 yo male)
Sheriff Taylor stated, “I’m very proud of the work of our investigations unit which was preceded by the diligent efforts of the patrol deputies.”
If you have any information on the whereabouts of these suspects, please contact the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (719)583-6250 or Crime Stoppers (710)542-STOP(7867).