By Shannon Lukens.

 

Steamboat Springs Police officers were honored and recognized at a pinning ceremony Wednesday night, in the CLEF (Combined Law Enforcement Facility) building.

Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett led the pinning ceremony. Chief Beckett then had those who nominated people for awards read what they wrote, as those receiving the honors were, “nominated by their peers.”

 

Pinning of officers

Officer Jordan Alpers is a new officer to the Steamboat Springs Police Department. He is from Broomfield but has always wanted to live in the mountains, in a small town like Steamboat Springs. His parents pinned his badge on him.

 

Officer Amy Mink is also a new officer. She moved to Steamboat Springs from Wyoming and is very excited to be here. She is a mom of six. Patty Oakland with the police department did the pinning.

 

Detective Michael Buccino received a promotion to the Special Assignment Unit. Mikey was born and raised in Steamboat Springs and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2020. He has a degree from Arizona State University. Mikey’s mom pinned his badge.

 

Detective Dunte Valrey received a promotion to the Special Assignment Unit. Dunte received his degree from San Diego State University. He was a real estate agent in Steamboat Springs for 13 years before becoming a police officer. Chief Beckett says Valrey is one of the most positive people in the police department and one of the most productive officers. He was pinned by his wife.

 

Detective Jessica Pierce was promoted to investigations. She grew up in Pennsylvania. In 2006, she moved to Colorado and eventually worked for the correction facility in Craig. She came to the Steamboat Springs Police Department from the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office a year and a half ago.

 

Honorable Mention

• Detective Tabitha Alt
• Officer Caleb Schultz

 

 

Awards – Life Saving Award

The Life Saving Award was given to officers Lidia Frescas and Lonny Shaw. They were nominated by Officer Mikey Buccino. It was in recognition of saving a man’s life who was having a heart attack on Dec. 31. They did CPR and got the man breathing again for when Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue arrived.

 

Another Life Saving Award was given to officer Greg Griffin. He was nominated by Christian Barnett. It was from an incident with a “highly intoxicated student at CMC.” She was going to jump over a railing and Griffin grabbed her in time and she eventually received the appropriate assistance and care that she needed.

 

Christian Barnett was also recognized with a Commendation from Det. Sam Silva, for taking the lead on many high-profile cases, helping with investigations, being one of the primary trainers in the department, and being a mentor to many officers. Chief Beckett added, “What Christian does is incredible.”

 

Chief  Beckett ended the ceremony by thanking the officers and staff and their families. “This team that we’re building is incredible. I’m very proud.”