BLYN — Corrections Deputy Eric Morris has received the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Life Saving Award for helping a new inmate who had overdosed on sleeping pills last September.
Corrections Deputy Nathan Clark was named Employee of the Year, William Carter was named Volunteer of the Year and Parker Stoops was named Search and Rescue Volunteer of the Year at the department’s annual awards dinner Saturday at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn, the Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.
Sheriff Bill Benedict said he was “honored to recognize the outstanding performance” of his employees and volunteers.
Morris was booking a female inmate last Sept. 3 when he noticed the woman was lethargic, slurring her speech and in a “questionable state of consciousness,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Morris continued to engage the woman and found out she had taken 20 Temazepam sleeping pills prior to her arrest.
As Morris alerted a sergeant and jail medical staff, the woman’s level of consciousness continued to degrade.
She was treated and stabilized at Olympic Medical Center and was eventually returned to jail.
Saved a life
“Through his actions, Deputy Morris was able to get the inmate quick medical treatment and in doing so directly contributed to the saving of a human life,” the citation read.
“The inmate likely would have died had Deputy Morris not persisted in gaining information from her and acting in a manner that led to a prompt medical response,” the citation continued.
“This reflects Deputy Morris’ abiding compassion, training and alertness and is in keeping with the highest traditions of public service.”
Benedict in a telephone interview said Clark was named Employee of the Year for his “sustained performance” and day-to-day excellence.
Clark and Morris were each hired by the department in December 2005, Administrative Coordinator Lorraine Shore said.
Carter was recognized for his volunteer work as head of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services team, to which he contributed 1,087 hours last year.
In addition to the employee, volunteer and search-and-rescue volunteer awards, the Sheriff’s Office issued Meritorious Service and Commendation awards at the dinner.
Meritorious Service Awards were given to members or nonmembers of the department who went “above and beyond the person’s normal duty.”
The 2014 Meritorious Service Award winners were Detective Brian Knutson, Deputy Jeff Waterhouse, Administrative Specialist Idona Baumann, Fiscal Specialist Jackie Koon and Shore.
Commendation Awards were bestowed for excellence in the performance of duty or for “improving conditions within the agency or community.”
The 2014 Commendation Award winners were Sgt. Lyman Moores, Civil Deputy Kaylene Zellar and Waterhouse.
Postal service worker
Meanwhile, U.S. Postal Service employee Max Fernandez received the Sheriff’s Commendation Award for helping to save the life of a Forks resident.
Fernandez realized that the resident — “Mrs. Roberts” — had not picked up her mail and took the time to check on her, according to the citation.
Roberts was treated at Forks Community Hospital for pneumonia, severe dehydration and diabetic coma.
“Had Mr. Fernandez gone about his normal routine and not acted upon his concerns for her well-being, it is likely Mrs. Roberts would not have survived the day,” the citation read.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has about 100 full-time employees and 113 volunteers.
Those volunteers gave 10,819 hours of service — the equivalent of $297,953 — to the Sheriff’s Office and the community in 2014, Benedict said
Sheriff’s Office volunteers serve in search and rescue, community policing, amateur radio emergency services, emergency management, chaplain team, cold case investigations, reserve deputies and code enforcement.
Thirty-six volunteers gave at least 100 hours in 2014.
Volunteer hours
The “gold” volunteers who gave at least 500 hours were Carter (1,087 hours), Kathleen Reiter (528), David Hepner (503) and Wayne Foth (500).
The “silver” volunteers who gave at least 250 hours were Bruce Reiter (456), Sterling Epps (350), Diane Wheeler (304), Lee Diemer (303), Karen Clatanoff (284), Carole March (267) and Bill Miano (253).
The “bronze” volunteers who gave a least 100 hours were Rik Scairpon (223), Ed Evans (213), Ellen Morrison (209), Judy Hendrickson (200), Stoops (197), Joan Craft (197), Bob McGonigel (196), Bob Mills (195), Jacob Burton (192), Allan Tyson (188), Jim Coulter (186), Rosalie Camin (181), Al Dawson (178), Alan Hawley (172), Paul Honore (169), Jim Faddis (168), David Hannon (161), George March (159), Dave Hull (143), Chuck Jones (130), Valerie Hannon (125), Rich Golding (122), Steve Belcher (121), Al Camin (104) and Tom Doane (102).
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
