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Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Larry Scarber recognized three of his officers for their heroic, life-saving efforts over the past years, at the Snowflake Council meeting on April 2.
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Sergeant Daniel Rusk Sr. received the department’s Purple Heart Award for the severity of injury received in the line of duty in June 1999, when a combative subject was arrested and transported to the STPD holding cell. With the help of his back-up officer, Rusk was able to move the subject into the cell, where he became less combative.
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Thinking everything was under control, Rusk released his back-up officer and then went into the cell to prepare the subject for transport to the jail.
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“At that point, the subject became very combative,” noted Scarber. “It resulted in a severe dislocation to Rusk’s shoulder. Rusk was still able with one arm to handcuff one arm of the subject to a bar in the holding cell until the ambulance and back up could arrive.”
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Rusk also received the department’s Life Saving Award along with Sergeant Derick Ortiz for their quick response to a man who had hung himself.
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Scarber said the event happened in July of 2015 when the officers responded to a residence on a report of a man who was experiencing suicidal thoughts.
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“When the officers moved to the rear of the residence, they found a man who had already hung himself,” continued Scarber. “The officers rushed to him, supported his weight, got him off the rope and began resuscitation efforts. The ambulance arrived and the man was transported to the hospital where he ultimately survived.”
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Officer Monseis Ramos received the department’s Life Saving Award for a similar situation that occurred in January of 2018. Ramos was dispatched to a call with a despondent subject. After taking the report from the family, Ramos went to a secluded location in town where the subject was known to be staying.
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“As he drove along, looking for him, Ramos found the man in process of hanging himself,” shared Scarber. “Ramos rushed down a steep embankment and literally had to use physical force after the guy had suspended himself from the rope in order to get him to safety. I was privileged to be on that call. We got there after all the heroics were over but it is very much an honor to present Ramos the department’s Life Saving Award.”
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Scarber also recognized the retirement of Rusk after 20 years of service with the STPD. Rusk started at the department as a reserve officer volunteer in 1996. After completing the academy in Taylor, he became a full-time police officer in September of 1997. In 2006, Rusk was promoted to the rank of sergeant and in 2016 he received the rank of senior sergeant.
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“For a long time Dan was our training officer, an administrative sergeant, first aid instructor, range manager and firearms instructor,” continued Scarber. “One of the comments Dan sent to me in an email before I ever met him was: ‘the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department is like family, sometimes a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless’. I thought that was a great representation of the department.”
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Rusk also served in the Arizona National Guard completing two deployments in Iraq and one training deployment in Flagstaff. In 2011, Rusk was honorably discharged from the National Guard.
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Scarber gave recognition to Rusk’s wife, Sally, saying, “Behind every good man is a good woman and I would like to recognize Sally Rusk for her contribution. She has been patient with Dan in all his deployments and late night call outs and holiday work and we appreciate her.”
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Several councilmen expressed their appreciation to the years of service Rusk gave to the STPD. Vice Mayor Kerry Ballard said, “I have always appreciated Dan. He has always been a good friend and policeman.”
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Councilman Hunter Lewis said, “I was a teenager with a driver’s license when you started. Thank you, Dan, for your service.”
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Councilman Byron Lewis shared, “I think your footprint and legacy will live on beyond your retirement.”
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In other business, the council:
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* Approved the proclamation recognizing the week of April 7-13 as National Library Week.
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* Heard a presentation to the Snowflake Library volunteers.
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* Approved the proclamation naming April 2019 as “Fair Housing Month”.
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* Heard a presentation by Neil Travor, district manager with Arizona Public Service, on their wildfire mitigation efforts.
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* Heard a presentation from the Overgaard Ponderosa Lions Club on the possibility of sponsoring a new Lions Club in Snowflake-Taylor.
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* Approved road projects for Fiscal Year 2019-20.
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* Approved the March check register in the amount of $317,213.
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* Approved the resolution for the grant application to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
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* Approved the resolution for fair housing policy.
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