MONROE — The Green County Sheriff’s Office recognized some of its members for life-saving work in the community.

The awards were presented Dec. 10, during the Green County Board’s regular meeting. 

We “had the honor of formally recognizing three of our outstanding members who are assigned to the Green County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division for their exceptional service,” said Chief Deputy John M. Scheutz in a social media post.  “Each year members of our agency are nominated by their supervisors, their peers, or by members of the public when they observe a member going above and beyond in their duties.”

Sheriff Cody Kanable formally recognized Sergeant Derek Whitcomb, Deputy Zach Stromberg, and Deputy Josh Hardacre; and presented each of them with the ‘Sheriff’s Commendation’ award, he said.

Schuetz described one of the incidents thusly: “On March 12, 2024, Deputies responded to the City of Monroe to assist with an individual experiencing a mental health crisis that was armed with a machete and threatening violence. Upon the arrival of Sergeant Derek Whitcomb, Deputy Zachary Stromberg and Deputy Joshua Hardacre a plan was quickly developed with Monroe Police Officers.”

The other law enforcement responders on scene focused on containing the suspect and protecting citizens and bystanders in the neighborhood, he added. 

“Through their combined efforts, the individual was safely taken into custody without injury to the public or law enforcement,” Scheutz said. “As a result of deputies’ profound discipline, focus on training and value for human life, the individual is alive & they received appropriate medical care.”

The other incident came on Sept. 14, 2024, when Whitcomb and Deputy Zachary Stromberg located a missing “individual that was experiencing a mental health crisis and making statements of self-harm.”

This suspect, Scheutz noted, was perched above a river on a bridge.

“Sergeant Whitcomb and Deputy Stromberg acted quickly and without hesitation by securing the individual within their grasp to prevent the individual from falling off the bridge into the river below,” the statement said. “Furthermore, Sergeant Whitcomb and Deputy Stromberg utilized verbal crisis communication skills to calm and reassure the individual that aid and assistance would be provided.”

The person was removed from the bridge and taken for medical health evaluation and care.

The Sheriff’s Commendation Award, officials said, is given to employees “whose performance of duty is marked by significant acts or pronounced efforts in public service that bring great credit to the employee and office.”

— Gary Mays