American Red Cross honors everyday heroes in Pueblo

Every dog has its day, and for one K-9 in Pueblo, she had a big day.

KOA, a K-9 with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, earned the Animal Hero award from the American Red Cross. She won it for recovering more than seven pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in October that was estimated to be worth about $400,000.

“It’s really exciting and surprising. We’re not looking for awards, but it is nice to be recognized,” KOA’s handler, Deputy Joe Bernal, said.

KOA, along with eight others, earned awards at the Hometown Heroes award ceremony hosted by the American Red Cross. It honors the heroic actions of people in Pueblo County.

“This is a big event for Pueblo. It’s a good chance for us to say thank you for all the different things that the people in Pueblo do. I think a lot of people forget they can be ordinary heroes just pretty much every day,” American Red Cross communications director Bill Fortune said.

Bernal said KOA might be wearing the golden award to crime scenes, prancing with it.

Among the others honored at the event were the Pueblo Police and Fire departments, Pueblo Community College and a retired Air Force colonel.