By Shannon Lukens.

 

It is National Police Week. Steamboat Springs Police and Routt County Sheriff’s Officers honored fallen peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A remembrance was at the Steamboat Springs Cemetery Wednesday.

A new law enforcement honor guard started the ceremony, led by Routt County Sheriff Patrol Deputy Stephen Harbison.

 

Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar spoke of the importance of employee wellness, both mentally and physically, and how it has become a t0p priority.

 

Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett spoke of how law enforcement is the noblest of professions in our country. He is appreciative of the overwhelming support from the Steamboat Springs and Routt County communities, and he appreciates support from the government.

He also added that suicide and mental wellness is a topic “that is not going away.” His department is implementing training and discussions.

 

Chief Beckett told the officers at the ceremony, “Let’s keep supporting each other. This is a great place to be police officers.”

Both Chief Beckett and Sheriff Scherar also spoke of the support from both departments and how well both law enforcement agencies work together.

Chief Beckett: “I have been remarkably surprised at the dynamics of the relationship between Steamboat Springs Police and Routt County Sheriffs. I’ve never experience anything like it anywhere else in the country. And this team succeeds because of that relationship. We lean on each other constantly. We have a very unique and fruitful relationship.”

Sheriff Sherar: “I agree. Having that strong partnership with your sister agency, especially when you’re sharing the same building and you and your officers are all working in such close proximity, it’s essential to working and I couldn’t think of a better partner in law enforcement than Chief Beckett in law enforcement.”

 

Patrol Deputy Harbison added that he appreciates the two departments working side by side, and he attributes that to leadership. “We know we will have each other’s backs.” Harbison is a School Resource Officer for the Routt County Sheriff’s Office and he works closely with School Resource Officer Lisa Eifling with the Steamboat Springs Police Department.

Routt County has had four law enforcement members who have been killed in the line of duty over the years. Two deputies with the RCSO, one officer with SSPD and the town marshal with the Oak Creek Police Department. This year, the country is remembering nearly 120 officers from 40 states, including three from Colorado, as well as 12 officers from federal, military, US territories and Tribal agencies.