CCSO recognizes exceptional service by awarding the Purple Heart Medal, Medal of Merit, Life-Saving Medals, and other prestigious honors

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office recently announced the recognition of various deputies, civilian employees, and community members for their outstanding service and commitment to public safety. 

In a ceremony held at Clark College on Feb. 27, more than three dozen people were presented with prestigious medals and awards to acknowledge their bravery, dedication, and exemplary performance. 

“Our employees’ actions have not only upheld the values of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office but have also served as an inspiration to their colleagues and the community at large,” said Sheriff John Horch. “I am proud of the dedication, bravery, and teamwork displayed by these individuals, as they represent the highest ideals of law enforcement.” 

Among the medals and honors awarded: 

Purple Heart Medal:

CCSO Deputy Drew Kennison 

Medal of Merit:

CCSO Sergeant Greg Agar, Deputy Elijah Page

Life-Saving Medal:

CCSO Sergeant Greg Agar, Deputy Phil Walker 

Life-Saving Medal (awarded for assisting in helping to save the life of Deputy Drew Kennison):

CCSO Deputy Forrest Gonzalez, Vancouver Police Sergeant Frank Gomez, Vancouver Police Department Corporal Drew Klaetsch, Vancouver Police Officer Cole Larson, Vancouver Police Officer Jason Beach, Vancouver Police Officer Mark Brinski, Vancouver Police Officer Michael Wilkes, Vancouver Police Officer Steven Forgette 

Citizen Service Medal (awarded for assisting in helping to save the life of Deputy Kennison):

Camas-Washougal Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Villines, Camas-Washougal Fire Department Captain Matt Baldwin, Camas-Washougal Fire Department Captain Chris Ruddell, Camas-Washougal Fire Department Firefighter-Paramedic Lance Long, Camas-Washougal Fire Department Firefighter-Paramedic Nate Barmore, Skamania County PUD Lineman Luke Nordgaard, Skamania County PUD Lineman Matthew Newell.  

Life-Saving Award: 

CCSO Deputy Alex O’Hearn, CCSO Deputy Forrest Gonzalez, CCSO Sergeant Greg Agar (x2), CCSO Deputy Jacob Lyle, CCSO Deputy Slav Pavlenko (x2), CCSO Sergeant Adam Beck, CCSO Sergeant Mark Anderson, CCSO Detective Bethany Lau, CCSO Deputy Chris Freudenberg.

Distinguished Service Award: 

Denny Hunter, CCSO Cold Case Detective

Exemplary Performance Award: 

Allison Gentry, Brian Wade, Chelsea Quiggle, Chris Freudenberg, Chris Pizan, Colleen Williamson, David Nelson, David Smith, Duwayne Layton, Erik Dunham, Fred Neiman, Greg Agar, Greg Marek, Helier Arvizo, Holly Dezubiria, James Rogan, Jim Beaman, Julie Wright, Justin Messman, Kaitlyn Stenlund, Lawrence Zapata, Lisa Stopper, Michael Gonzalez, Rick Osborne, Samir Vejo, Shane Clemenhagen, Shane Joachim, Shelley Wright, Tanya Johnson, Thomas Rismoen, Trina Sanford, Victoria Meyer.

CCSO awarded the following for their exceptional performance in 2023:

Enforcement Branch Deputy of the Year: Deputy Rocky Futrell 

Enforcement Branch Detective of the Year: Detective Jon Shields 

Enforcement Branch Supervisor of the Year: Sergeant Linda Hayes 

Enforcement Branch Trainer of the Year: Deputy Shane Clemenhagen 

Civil Branch Employee of the Year: Denise Hotopp, Support Specialist III 

Civil Branch Supervisor of the Year: Evelina Kurilenko, Civil Division Supervisor 

Descriptions of Awards and Commendations 

Purple Heart Medal: The purpose of the Purple Heart Medal is to recognize those employees who have suffered significant physical injury while performing their official duties. The Sheriff intends that those employees who do so and suffer significant physical injury as a result, be recognized for that sacrifice. 

Medal of Merit: The Medal of Merit is awarded to employees who perform acts in the line of duty that significantly endanger themselves to prevent a crime. It is also awarded to those who perform outstanding community service or facilitate a Community Oriented Policing Project that supports the department’s goals and objectives outside of the employee’s routine assignment. 

Life-Saving Medal: The Life-Saving Medal is awarded to departmental employees who significantly endanger themselves to save the life of another human being. The act should involve heroism, daring, or the employee placing their personal safety at risk. 

Life-Saving Award: The Life-Saving Award is awarded to departmental employees who save the life of another human being while on or off duty. The action taken must be such that had the officer not taken direct action, the individual would in all probability have died.

Citizen Service Medal: The Citizen Service Medal may be awarded to any citizen who performs an act that jeopardizes their personal safety while attempting to save the life of another human being. 

Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award recognizes various exceptional contributions by employees. It may be awarded for various achievements, including investigating and solving complex crimes and consistently performing at an exemplary and/or extraordinary level. 

Exemplary Performance Award: The Exemplary Performance Award may be awarded to any employee who distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties. The act or acts must be of a nature which places it beyond the normal nature of required service and which brings credit upon the employee and the Sheriff’s Office.

Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.