By C1 Staff
TECUMSEH, Neb. – A dozen prison employees who positively influenced the outcome of a May riot at the Tecumseh state prison were recognized during an awards ceremony.
The riot occurred on May 10 and lasted nearly 12 hours; several staff members were assaulted and two inmates were found dead in a housing unit.
The Journal Star reports that a group of six officers were recognized with the Super 6 award for rescuing a recreation specialist who had barricaded herself inside a gym office while inmates were attempting to break in.
Case Manager Aaron Rule, Sgt. Tate Higgins, Cpl. Sandra Kaelin, Case Manager Jeff Carmine, Lt. Tony Simon and Sgt. Shad Berner formed a team and entered the yard in order to gain access to the gym. Once inside, they got the specialist out just moments before the inmates would have broken in.
Another six commanders and supervisors were presented with the Leadership Under Pressure award for making split second decisions, as well as keeping command center staff on track and focused.
Those leaders recognized are Sgt. Christopher Ulrick, Sgt. Crystal Remep, Mark Rumery, Scott Roberts, Rob Treptow and Loretta Wells.
Corrections Department Director Scott Frakes praised the courage of the officers awarded, saying he was proud of them for their actions.