Bonneville Search & Rescue team, others honored during ceremony
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BONNEVILLE COUNTY — The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office held a ceremony March 15 at the Bonneville County Courthouse recognizing numerous employees and volunteers as well as swearing in new employees to the Sheriff’s Office.
Among those recognized were the 41 members of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team (SAR) and their commander, Matt Fluke. This team of dedicated volunteers bring an enormous amount of experience and skills to respond at a moment’s notice when needed.
Each of those members strive to mentor and pass on their skills because they care about others and enjoy serving their community. In 2016, Bonneville Search and Rescue volunteers put in over 2500 hours of service and traveled over 18,000 miles on various searches, training, and community events in Eastern Idaho.
Matt Fluke, who was commissioned with the team in 2010 and placed in as Commander in 2015, has played a huge role in the mentoring and growth of the team and continues to make sure all aspects of the Search and Rescue Unit run safe, smooth, and efficient. Matt was recognized by Sheriff Paul J. Wilde as Volunteer of the Year along with the entire 41 member team as Volunteer Group of the Year.
Sheriff Wilde also presented Gary Hansen the Outstanding Civilian Award for Lifesaving for his selfless acts in October of last year when he assisted with the rescue of a lost hunter.
Gary had arrived at the Poker Peak area early in the morning to begin his elk hunt when he came upon Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue who told him of a 58 year old male, also on an elk hunt, that had been missing in the area for a couple of days.
Gary took it upon himself to put off his hunt to assist in looking for man, and within a few hours located him and notified Sheriff’s Deputies. Gary built a fire for the man to help heat him up and coordinated with Search and Rescue who brought horses to help pack him out.
Not only was Gary instrumental in locating the man and saving him from the elements, Gary helped pack some of the man’s elk he had shot out to rescuers and chose to make the hike back out on foot rather than by horse. Gary sacrificed his own elk trip to go out of his way to help another human being and was instrumental in the culmination of a successful rescue.
For that, Gary Hansen very deservingly received the Outstanding Civilian Award for Lifesaving.
The following Deputies were also recognized and presented awards by the Sheriff for various conduct, events, and performance of their duty:
Physical Readiness:
Curtis Brown
Doug Cook
Josh Fielding
Mike Hammer
Joey Martin
Andy Mortimer
Chris Norman
Life Saving Awards:
Austin Flegel
Greg Ackley
Kevin Martin
Jennifer Brookover
John Miller
Abram Campbell
Andrew Mortimer
Angela Johnson
Erik Okopny
Kyle Fielding
John Romankiw
Meritorious Conduct Awards:
Brian Covert
Sandra Hendon
Dayna Harris
Travus Hansen
Job Hernandez
Suzie Miller
Chris Harrison
Crystal Ray
Julie Phillips
Brian Johnson
Deanna Staples
Michael Pickett
Angela Stofey
Crystal Ray
Katherine Swanson
Fernando Romero
Judd Aeschbacher
Val Bench
Austin Flegel
Brad Goody
Chris Smith
Mike Vasquez
Sheriff’s Commendations:
Lorinda Dennis
Randy Flegel
Ed Vitacolonna
Sam Hulse
Detention Non-Certified Deputy of the Year:
Job Hernandez
Law Enforcement Non-Certified Deputy of the Year:
Darlean Packer
Detention Rookie Deputy of the Year:
Casey Albright
Law Enforcement Rookie Deputy of the Year:
Brandon Norman
Detention Deputy of the Year:
Matt Westfall
Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year:
Randy Flegel
Detention Supervisor of the Year:
Theresa White
Law Enforcement Supervisor of the Year:
Jeff Edwards
2017 American Legion Post 56 Deputy of the Year:
Karl Casperson