By Zach Hillstrom
The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.
PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. — Three Pueblo County Sheriff’s deputies were recently recognized for their selfless acts of bravery.
Deputies Robert Garbiso, Charles Roldan and Charles McWhorter were each awarded a Medal of Valor, the highest honor not only for PCSO deputies, but for public safety officers across the country.
“The actions of these deputies were truly heroic,” said Sheriff Kirk Taylor.
“They acted without regard for their own safety while protecting their fellow deputies and the citizens of Pueblo County. I am honored and proud to award them with the distinguished Medal of Valor for their exceptional courage, selflessness and dedication to serving this community.”
Garbiso was awarded the medal for his actions on March 3, 2017, when he disarmed an inmate who had taken a Taser from another deputy during an escape attempt at the Pueblo County jail.
Garbiso, who heard the scuffle between the deputy and the inmate, was reportedly attempting to stop the escape when the inmate shot him with the Taser. Despite being hit, Garbiso still managed to gain control of the inmate and take him into custody. His actions thwarted the escape attempt and prevented the inmate from harming other jail personnel or inmates.
The incident for which the other two PCSO deputies were recognized took place on Aug. 21, 2017, when Roldan and McWhorter were attempting to apprehend a bank robbery suspect in a mobile home in Colorado City. The deputies had received information that the suspect in the robbery of the Ent Credit Union in Rye could be found at a residence on Applewood Drive.
When they arrived at the home, they were informed the suspect was in a bedroom. They cautiously entered the residence, but when deputies made their way to the bedroom and confronted the suspect, he pulled out a Derringer-type handgun and pointed it at one of the deputies, prompting both deputies to fire their weapons.
Special plaques with photos and the citations highlighting the heroic actions of each of the deputies will be placed permanently in the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Hall of Valor, located on the first floor of the Emergency Services Center at 101 W. 10th Street. zhillstrom@chieftain.com
©2018 The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.)