SNIPER TEAM becomes NATIONALLY CERTIFIED
Team is one of the Top 25 in the U.S.
When Sgt. Shane Walker was asked to join the sniper team five years ago, he didn't hesitate. Not even for a moment.
"I like challenges so I did it," says Sgt. Shane Walker.
At the time, Sgt. Walker was already on the SWAT team and was also a School Resource Officer in charge of 35 Cherry Creek schools in Arapahoe County. He loved his position; protecting schools, connecting with kids and making a difference in their lives.
But he also knew the sniper team needed him.
"I chose to do this to help these guys. These are very dedicated, humble, hard-working men. We carefully select each person. It's an elite, close-knit team and we need the right people on it," says Sgt. Shane Walker.
The job of a police sniper is to enter high-stress situations to protect innocent victims and save lives while also watching over their teammates. They can see everything from their hidden vantage point. Sometimes, their circumstances force them to save a life by taking a life, but their intense training prepares them to handle that immense responsibility.
Over the years, the ACSO sniper team has become so highly-trained, well-organized and properly equipped, the American Sniper Association (ASA) just certified them, elevating the team to one of the best in the country.
"It's truly an honor and something we've been waiting a long time for. We take great pride in our team. The standards the ASA sets are very high and we not only meet their standards, we excel on all of them," says Sgt. Walker.
With only 25 sniper teams in the United States who have achieved ASA certification, and the ACSO's sniper team being the only one in the State of Colorado, Walker says it shows the Arapahoe County community they're committed to protecting the lives of its citizens and holding the team accountable. ACSO snipers train nearly 250 hours a year, which exceeds the national standards. They must also pass a physical test, a written test and an advanced precision shooting course.
When they're called out on assignment, snipers work covertly to eliminate the threat. They work in pairs to provide over-watch coverage for each other with one of them designated as a "spotter" to communicate information to the rest of the team. They regularly train to shoot up to 1,000 yards (or 10 football fields) and hit their target.
They're often called to work on rooftops at high-profile events, such as the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Denver or the 2022 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Parade.
Sgt. Walker says while he loves both his jobs as an SRO and a sniper, at the end of the day, he says he takes the most pride in being a husband and a father to his three children.
"That's my true purpose, being a father. But I also love this team and I do this for the guys I work with. I enjoy protecting them in very dangerous situations. We're there for each other to make sure each one of us makes it home safely to our families."
DEPUTIES WORK TO KEEP FAMILIES SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
While most people spent Thanksgiving Day with their loved ones, deputies in Arapahoe County were working hard to protect and serve their community. Deputy Deborah Sallee has worked on Thanksgiving Day for the past seven years. While she knows it's just part of the job, she says it's especially tough leaving your kids on a holiday, not knowing whether you'll make it home.
"Some of the the calls you respond to on a holiday are very emotionally-driven and it can be dangerous, so there’s a little part of you that says, 'I will see you tomorrow' and you give them a kiss and you promise you’ll be home later because you can’t bear to say goodbye," says Deputy Sallee.
Deputy Sallee has been cop for 11 years. She started working in the Arapahoe County Jail, but has been on patrol for the past four years. She's trained in crisis intervention and is also a hostage negotiator. If a family dispute gets heated, Sallee steps in and tries to calm the parties down.
"We have a lot of alcohol-related calls, family disturbances, domestic violence and harrasment calls on holidays and it's usually fueled by alcohol and high emotions," says Deputy Sallee.
On this Thanksgiving, an intoxicated woman drove her car into a liquor store. Fortunately no one was hurt.
As Sallee makes her way to her next call, she also gets to do things she enjoys, like passing by homes decked out in festive decorations and greeting neighbors.
"I love Christmas. That's one holiday I don't like to work on because it's such an important holiday with my kids. But sometimes you have to and you just learn to celebrate later," says Deputy Sallee.
Crime doesn't stop on the holidays and Sallee says when you choose a life of service, you're committed to your community and keeping families safe no matter what day it is.
"This job is a calling. I love helping people. I think it’s as close to doing God’s work as I can possibly get."
SHERIFF'S OFFICE EXPANDS CHAPLAIN PROGRAM
On November 29, nine chaplains were sworn in by Sheriff Tyler Brown, officially marking the new expansion of the ACSO Chaplain Unit.
"As chaplains, we're here for our staff during critical times when they need someone to talk to. What they tell us is 100% confidential. We're clergy. We're here to offer emotional, moral and spiritual support," says lead chaplain, Deputy Justin Dillard.
A police chaplain's job is to provide confidential support and counseling to any employee at the agency who requests it. While the ACSO chaplains are all from the Christian faith, their job is to support employees of all faiths or religions or no religion at all, and locate resources for those who don't share the same belief system.
"We work in an environment where we see the best and the worst of people, mostly the worst. When our deputies are in crisis after a critical incident or just stressed out, we're a resource they can trust," says Dillard.
All nine chaplains are volunteers. They are diverse in age, gender, background and experience and can respond to requests specific to their expertise. Chaplain Damon Stage who has been serving as a chaplain to the inmates, will now serve a dual role with two others assigned to work with staff in the Detentions Bureau. The other chaplains will work with staff in the Public Safety and Support Services Bureaus.
The Chaplain Unit is guided by the Rocky Mountain Police & Fire Chaplains. For more information, click the button below.
TURKEY BOWL FACE-OFF!
By Bree Dulaney
The Sheriff's Office kicked off its very first flag football game on November 12 at Dove Valley Regional Park. Three teams -- SWAT, SORT and Patrol -- competed in a round robin-style competition in front of family and friends.
There were lots of smiles and camaraderie between the teams. The game was a chance for co-workers and their families to come together for a day of fun.
So who came out on top? Team SORT! They're the Special Operations Response Team at the jail. They took the victory and won the coveted Turkey Cup, and of course, bragging rights for the next year! We can't wait until next year's tournament!
christmas for the k9s
DID SOMEONE SAY TREATS? Back The Blue K-9 Force and Prevail Home Realty are collecting Christmas donations for metro area police dogs (ours included!). You can purchase the doggie gifts online and ship them directly. Check out all our K9s and their newly updated wish lists HERE. Thank you in advance for your support of these hard working K9s! 💙🖤
Read the story on KDVR FOX31.com or watch it below.
🎄 LET'S BRING SMILES TO KIDS THIS CHRISTMAS! 🎄
Every child deserves a great Christmas. That's why the Sheriff's Office is teaming up with The Salvation Army Centennial Corps for a Christmas Toy Drive. We want to make sure the kids in our own community of Arapahoe County receive gifts even if their families can't afford them. Will you help us make their holiday special? Just drop off a new, unwrapped toy or gift card at one of the locations listed on the flyer below. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and we know the kids who receive them will be blessed! 💝