Denver, CO (February 26, 2008) – Today the Colorado State Patrol
presented
its highest award to the trooper who confronted an armed gunman at the
State Capitol on July 16, 2007. Trooper Jay Hemphill received the
Colorado
State Patrol Medal of Valor for his actions. Hemphill became the
41sttrooper in the 73-year history of the Colorado State Patrol to
receive
this honor.
"We will never know what would have happened had it not been for Trooper
Hemphill that day," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado
State
Patrol. "What we do know is that his courageous and decisive actions
saved
countless lives," Colonel Trostel said.
The Colorado State Patrol Medal of Valor is bestowed upon an employee
for a
conspicuous act of heroism calling for an outstanding degree of
dedication
and devotion above and beyond professional duty that involved a high
degree
of risk of life.
Trooper Hemphill is a 13-year veteran of the Colorado State Patrol. He
currently serves in the CSP Executive Security Unit.
Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop In Denver Receives Awards for His
Service
CSP Awards Arapahoe County Deputies for their Efforts in July Shooting
Denver, CO (February 26, 2008) – Today the Colorado State Patrol (CSP)
presented its Distinguished Service Award and Purple Heart to Trooper
Dennis Wilder for his efforts in the July 26, 2007 shooting that left he
and two other officers wounded. The award for distinguished service is
among the highest awards a CSP officer can receive and is bestowed
upon an
individual who acts with outstanding courage in the face of personal
danger.
The CSP also awarded two officers from the Araphoe County Sheriff's
Office
and an Officer from the Denver Police Department with Certificates of
Honor
for their role in the incident. Lieutenant Steve Curti and Deputy Lewis
Guida were working along with officers from a number of other metro-area
law enforcement agencies on the evening of July 26, 2007 as part of the
Metro DUI Task Force.
Curti and Guida and DPD Officer Ryan Kobernick responded to assist
Wilder
when it was discovered that the driver of a vehicle he had stopped had
an
outstanding warrant for his arrest. Once the driver was taken into
custody, the passenger opened fire on officers wounding Curti and
Wilder. The suspect was shot by law enforcement and later died at the
hospital.
"Law enforcement officers across Colorado and around the nation face the
many dangers of this profession on a daily basis in the pursuit of
saving
lives," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol.
Who: Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the CSP, and Lt. Governor Barbara
O'Brien, will be honoring numerous individuals for their dedicated
service
to Colorado. See copy of the program below for listing of awards and
individuals being honored.
Where & When:
1:30 p.m.
CSP Honors Ceremony
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Holiday Inn Denver West Village
14707 West Colfax, Golden, CO 80401
What:
The Colorado State Patrol is hosting an honors award ceremony to honor
CSP
officers and citizens that have made important contribution to the
state of
Colorado.
Why:
The CSP Valor Award, the CSP Distinguished Service Award, the CSP
Purple
Heart Award, the first time for the CSP's CORE Value Awards to selected
members of the CSP--only 8 out of the entire Patrol's employees... four
officers and four civilians will be honored, the CSP's Colonel's
Award of
Excellence to Colorado business leaders and CSP outstanding employees,
and
a tribute award to the family of Trooper Tempelton, the Trooper killed
in
the line of duty last year, plus other awards.
