With a ceremony and a reception, Sheriff Jason Mikesell paid tribute to 46 law enforcement officers and dispatchers.

 The conference room at the sheriff’s office on April 2 was packed with families of the honored, some who were newly sworn-in or promoted. Two dispatchers were recognized for their quick responses that saved lives.   

“I want to say thank you and to your family members; you have joined our law enforcement families, for you are the support mechanism for these young men and women,” Mikesell said, introducing the ceremony.

The department has achieved notable accomplishments. 

“This sheriff’s office is in the top 1% of forest fire evacuations in the United States; not that I’m happy about that,” he said. “We do more evacuations than most sheriff’s offices have ever done in their entire careers.”

The men and women are part of 750,000 law enforcement officers in 18,000 locations in the United States, said Commissioner Dan Williams. “This is less than ½ of 1% who ever served their country.”

In a time of dysfunction, combat, war and division in America, the officers, as well as their families, Williams, said, represent the culture of peacemaking.

“There was a time when they were called ‘peace officers’ rather than lawmen and that’s what they are in this county and under Jason’s leadership,” he said. 

Williams highlighted the officers’ role in upholding the law.

“Without the rule of law, we don’t have anything. And there are a lot of people right now who would like to get rid of the rule of law,” he said. “So, we’re grateful that the sheriff has your back; you’ll have the best equipment, whatever you need.”

Mikesell acknowledged that law enforcement officers can be a struggle.  

“These men and women will be challenged, but we are of the most important sheriff’s offices in the state of Colorado,” he said.