By Shannon Lukens.
Four new Steamboat Springs Police Officers were officially sworn in by Police Chief Sherry Burlingame Monday afternoon. They are Gene Lee and Lonny Shaw. Brenden Andrews and Ellie Crouch are both graduates of Steamboat Springs High School.
“Being a part of this community for as long as I can remember, it means the world to me that the chief and others selected me to go to the academy and serve this community. I’m just beyond thankful and grateful that I get to work in this profession around so many other great men and women.”
Longtime Steamboat Springs Police Officer Sam Silva was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Mark Beckett and his family moved to Steamboat Springs from Arizona, where he will be the new Police Commander.
Here’s more on those who were recognized today.
MARK BECKETT — Operations Commander
Mark Beckett was selected to be the Police Operations Commander for Steamboat Springs Police Department in June 2022. He leads the 20 sworn and 6 civilian members of Patrol Operations for the City of Steamboat Springs.
Mark was a sworn member of the City of Mesa Police Department from August 2001 through June 2022. During his time in Mesa, Mark was a leader in the Gang Unit and helped found the FBI Central Arizona Safe Trails Task Force, which targeted violent crime in and around tribal communities. His duties on the task force involve developing relationships in tribal communities as well as working with and supervising a wide variety of sworn and civilian employees.
Mark was awarded the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence in 2020 for his work on the task force. Mark has expertise in organizational leadership, critical incident management, investigations, and training. Mark spent much of his supervisory career assigned to the Mesa Gang Unit where he pioneered the development of a formal training program that was adopted by several other agencies. Mark has also been a key proponent of the development of an employee wellness program for the Special Operations Division at the Mesa Police Department. He has been championing mental wellness and been working to destigmatize therapy and wellness programs.
Prior to joining the police department, Mark worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in Buffalo, New York while attending the State University of New York at Buffalo where he obtained a Bachelor of the Arts degree in biology and environmental studies in 2000.
Mark grew up backpacking and skiing in upstate New York and has a passion for everything outdoors. He is married with a son and daughter. Mark’s wife is a nurse with 17 years of experience and together they have dedicated their lives to service to others.
SAM SILVA — Patrol Sergeant
Raised in Steamboat Springs, Sam Silva’s parents owned the Old West Steak House, where he started working when he was 10 years old. After graduating from Steamboat Springs High School, he attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a degree in agricultural business. After a few years of traveling the world and working in Africa and Australia, Silva returned and managed the Old West Steak House before starting a career in law enforcement.
Silva has 20 years of experience in law enforcement, first starting with the Routt County Sheriff’s Office. In 2006, he transitioned to the Steamboat Springs Police Department and has worked for eight years as a patrol officer, before being promoted to Detective in 2014. For the past eight years, he has been with the Investigations Unit. With this promotion, Silva returns to patrol and will be assigned to the night shift.
ELLE CROUCH — Police Officer
Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Elle Crouch graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2017 and moved to Colorado Springs to complete her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I coach girls’ basketball for the Middle School and the High School alongside my sister. I loved growing up in Steamboat Springs and look forward to serving a community that I have been a part of for nearly two and half decades.
BRENDEN ANDREWS — Police Officer
Brenden Andrews was born and raised in Steamboat Springs and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2018. After graduating, Brenden attended Colorado State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in May 2022. Brenden is excited to give back to his hometown in a positive manner though his education and deep community ties.
GENE LEE — Police Officer
Aloha! Gene Lee joined the Steamboat Springs Police Department in May 2021 working for a year as a Community Service Officer before making the decision to become POST certified and join the patrol team. Prior to SSPD, he spent 20 years as a Firefighter/EMT for the Honolulu Fire Department. His love for the mountains, traveling, and skiing, brought him to Steamboat Springs, where he is excited to start career number two as a police officer.
LONNY SHAW — Police Officer
Hailing from Fort Collins, Lonny Shaw has lived in Colorado his whole life, enabling him to push into the outdoors whenever possible through camping, fishing, hiking, and any other means to escape the city. Two years of college was enough to convince him to pursue a different path, ultimately deciding on public service, where he found Steamboat Springs and the police department. When he has spare time, he enjoys writing stories and songs, going to concerts, and listening to heavy metal.