Crime & Safety

Sheriff Awards Officers in the Field

Twenty-one officers were recognized for their achievements at the Cherokee County Commissioners meeting this week.

The recognized deputies for their acheivements in the field during the meeting this week.

Lt. Jeanette Vetter, Cpl. Mark Kapanowski, Sgt. Mark Anderson, Sgt. James Koury, Sgt. Todd Eilers, and Deputies Matthew Verber, Eric Mistretta, Liza Robinson, Justin Messenger, Stephen Shumake, Chad Pifer, Jack Fulenwider, Cody Jones, John Battersby, John Lewis, James Roberts, Steven Prescott, Timothy Downing, Jason Johns, Noah Rich and Justin Messenger were honored Tuesday night.

The awards were as follows:

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Sheriff’s Citation for Bravery presented to Verber and Mistretta:

Verber responded to a rape in progress. After hearing cries from inside a residence, Verber made forced entry without backup and arrested the suspect.

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Mistretta responded to a domestic dispute in progress. Once on the scene, he learned that a victim had been forced into a vehicle and was about to be kidnapped. Mistretta located and stopped the vehicle, and without backup, he arrested the suspect.

Sheriff’s Life Saving Medal presented to Robinson, Messenger, Shumake and Pifer:

Robinson performed CPR to revive a victim when she was dispatched to a person down call.

Messenger also responded to a person down call and performed CPR on the victim until EMS arrived.

While working in the jail, Shumake discovered an inmate choking on food. He immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver which resulted in the inmate surviving the incident.

While working the jail, Pifer discovered an inmate in the process of hanging himself. Pifer immediately lifted the inmate and held him for several minutes until other deputies were able to respond and cut him down.

Sheriff’s Certificate of Appreciation presented to Fulenwider, Jones, Koury, Battersby, Lewis, Roberts and Kapanowski.

Sheriff’s Citation for Meritorious Service presented to Anderson, Vetter and Messenger.

Sheriff’s Commendation Award presented to Prescott, Downing, Johns, Eilers and Rich.


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