‘Excellence and cooperation’: County honors law enforcement, first responders with proclamation

ST. GEORGE — During its Tuesday meeting, the Washington County Commission proclaimed March as Law Enforcement and First Responder month in Washington County.

Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist reads a proclamation making March Law Enforcement and First Responder month, St. George, Utah, March 1, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

The proclamation was introduced by Commissioner Gil Almquist on Tuesday and honors the county’s public safety personnel.

“The residents of Washington County are the recipients of the finest fire, police, sheriff and emergency service teams anywhere in the nation. … Each of us feel indebted to them for the security to life and property we enjoy,” Almquist said as he read the proclamation. Sitting in the audience and lining the back wall of the commission chambers were members of law enforcement from across the county.

The proclamation went on to note a drop in respect and support for law enforcement across the nation over the last two years. This drop came in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota in 2020, a black man who died in police custody. The incident sparked peaceful protests in some places while devolving into violent riots in others. It also led to a call by some for elected officials to “defund the police.” However, the proclamation did not reference those issues directly.

“About two years ago when the entire nation seemed to shift away from the respect that law enforcement and first responders deserved, that bothered me,” Almquist said prior to reading the resolution. He added he found the shift personally insulting and recounted how an off-duty St. George Police officer took part in saving his son following a drowning incident when his son was a toddler.

That child, now an adult, is pursuing a master’s of business degree at Northeastern University, Almquist said.

“I can tell you this was a personal offense when anyone across the nation started to get on that (anti-police) bandwagon,” he said.

L-R: Hurricane City Police Chief Lynn Excell, St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby, St. George Police Chief Kyle Whitehead and Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams, St. George, Utah, March 1, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Another part of the resolution highlighted the cooperation enjoyed by the various law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service agencies in the county.

“The sheriff relies on the excellence and cooperation of our partners in law enforcement,” the proclamation further states. “Chiefs (of police) in all municipalities have shown their willingness to join together when the situation dictates. … This unified effort results in the best outcome for our citizens.”

Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby was the first to thank the County Commission for its support and was followed by others.

“2020 and ’21 was a rough time for law enforcement,” the sheriff said. “One awesome thing we saw in Washington County – we saw an outpouring of the community coming out to thank us, so that tells me we still live in a wonderful place.”

St. George Police Chief Kyle Whitehead said it was a privilege to serve as a law enforcement officer in Washington County. He also touted the close partnerships between the various public safety agencies that worked together for the benefit and safety of county residents.

Members of police and fire departments and other elements of public safety gathered at the Washington County Commission chamber for a proclamation honoring law enforcement and first responders, St. George, Utah, March 1, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

“It’s outstanding to think of the incidents we’re been able to get through – sometimes very negative things – because of the great people we have in Washington County and those partnerships.”

St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker agreed.

“Your proclamation hit the nail right on the head,” he said. “We can’t do this alone. We’re very fortunate to have the cooperation we do in the county and the region. Not all parts of the country enjoy those partnerships. Some agencies have turf wars and jurisdiction wars. We just don’t have that in Washington County.”

Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams and Hurricane City Police Chief Lynn Excell were also at the commission meeting, as was Hurricane Valley Fire Chief Tom Kuhlmann. A number of sheriff’s deputies and police officers from different agencies were also present.

Almquist said he would like to see Washington County recognize those in public safety each March moving forward.

In addition to the Washington County proclamation, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel will enjoy national and international days of recognition in May.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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