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THE DETAIL NEWSLETTER June 2022

FEMALE FIREFIGHTER MOVES UP THE RANKS

Ashley Cappel becomes the first female Type 1 wildland firefighter in the agency's history

Fighting wildfires has traditionally been a man's job, but recently there's been more female wildland firefighters growing in the ranks.

"I've grown accustomed to gathering extra situational awareness for myself -- finding a bathroom on deployment can get a little tricky sometimes!" says Ashley Cappel, Deputy Emergency Manager.
Ashley Cappel takes a coffee break while working the Cameron Peak Fire in Larimer County

Cappel works for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) located at the sheriff's office headquarters in Centennial. Her job as Deputy Emergency Manager involves preparing for and responding to disasters and large-scale emergencies in Arapahoe County and, if requested, statewide.

Three years ago, Cappel joined the Wildland Fire Team as a Type 2 firefighter. It wasn't until she was deployed to the Cameron Peak Fire in Larimer County in the fall of 2020, that she decided she wanted to learn even more about firefighting and move up in the ranks.

I wanted to become a Type 1, also known as a 'Squad Boss,' which is a more advanced role where you lead small groups and are responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fires," says Cappel.

So Cappel spent the next year and half preparing and training for a supervisory role. In April 2022, she became the first female Type 1 wildland firefighter in the agency's history certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

"It took a long time, but it was worth it. The process to become a Type 1 involves a lot of knowledge, skill, training, experience and physical fitness," says Cappel.
Ashley Cappel (right) looking exhausted after several days on a wildfire at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in Otero County

But firefighting isn't the only thing Cappel is really good at. Did we mention, she's also a mother of three kids under the age of 4? This supermom had twin boys less than six months ago!

Ashley and her twin sons Hudson and Lucas

For Cappel, there's no slowing down. She says she loves being a wife, mother and a wildland firefighter and hopes to continue her successful career for many years to come.

To learn more about the OEM and our Wildfire Team, click the button below.

STAGE 1 FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

On June 1, 2022, Sheriff Tyler Brown dropped the fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 for the areas of unincorporated Arapahoe County, Centennial, Foxfield and Deer Trail.

Stage 1 means no open burning of any kind without a permit from the appropriate fire district and no use of fireworks.

To see a complete list of all the exemptions in a Stage 1 burn ban, please click the button below.

HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES

The month of May is a time when law enforcement officers across the U.S. remember their colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice. May 15 was National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the start of National Police Week in Washington D.C.

On May 28, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office honored our own deputies who have been killed in the line of duty.

  • Gabriel B. Hollingsworth Jr. - 1887
  • Charles Wilcox - 1899
  • Benjamin Lee Goorman - 1945
  • Ronald Oliver Lackey - 1993
"It's important to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the citizens of Arapahoe County. These deputies should not be forgotten, even though their sacrifice was long ago," says Captain Ken McKlem.

The sheriff's office held its annual law enforcement memorial ceremony attended by the family of Benjamin Goorman, killed in 1945. His son and daughter live in Littleton and say they were honored to be there to pay their respects.

Charles Wertin (left) and Jane Wullbrandt (middle), Goorman's son and daughter

Sheriff Tyler Brown gave a brief introduction, then Arapahoe FOP Lodge 31 President, Jason Presley shared the life stories of each of the four deputies.

Deputy Jason Presley speaks at the law enforcement memorial at the ACSO

Members of the ACSO, together with the Arapahoe FOP Lodge 31, designed and built the memorial and garden last year. It's located in front of the sheriff's office headquarters in Centennial and serves as a gathering place for deputies and community members to come together and remember those we have lost.

Sheriff Brown shakes hands with the son of Benjamin Goorman

We were honored to hold this annual remembrance of our deputies who paid the ultimate sacrifice. May these heroes never be forgotten. 💙🖤

2021 ANNUAL REPORT IS RELEASED

The Sheriff's Office has just released its 2021 Annual Report highlighting the accomplishments and goals achieved over the course of last year. The report also breaks down the number of services and overall crime the agency investigated. We encourage you to review it at your leisure and learn more about public safety and all that is happening at the sheriff’s office.

FREE PANCAKES ANYONE?

The Sheriff's Office Open House and Free Pancake Breakfast is right around the corner!

Mark your calendars for August 13 from 8am-Noon and come take a peek inside the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and Coroner's Facility. Climb into a SWAT vehicle, see K-9s in action, watch a vehicle extrication, pet our mounted unit horses and therapy dogs and even try out ‘maggot art.’ Plus, take a tour of our 911 dispatch center and take a history tour of the sheriff’s office.

It's all happening at our annual Open House and Free Pancake Breakfast. It's our biggest event of the year and it's FREE for everyone! So bring your family & friends for a yummy breakfast (pancakes, sausage, OJ and coffee) and explore all the different parts of ACSO.

Watch the video below to see what you can expect this year!

REX ON THE RADIO

Rex never misses an opportunity to promote his brand, so it was no surprise when he showed up to 850 KOA Radio with his human, Deputy John Gray.

They were there to be interviewed on The Mandy Connell Show and talk about the RexRun 2022. After all, Rex IS the inspiration behind the race.

If you're an animal lover, you won't want to miss the RexRun 2022. Bring your furry friend for a walk or run around Dove Valley park to help raise money for police K9s and school therapy dogs.

Click the button below to hear the radio interview with Deputy Gray.

JOIN US AT THE FAIR!

The ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR is July 28-31. Tickets are on sale NOW!

KUDOS TO OUR DEPUTY

REST IN PEACE ORRY

K-9 Orry was a beloved K-9 for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office for 8 years, from 2010-2018. His handlers were Deputy Cook and Deputy Lendi. Orry passed away May 30 due to a bowel issue, along with his age. Orry was a German Shepherd who worked with his handlers to capture bad guys and detect drugs. He worked hard and suffered a few injuries, then retired in 2018 and became Deputy Lendi's family pet. Deputy Lendi says Orry loved his job and lived a full and happy life. Orry, thank you for your service. You will always be in our hearts. 💙🖤