Fountain Police Department recognizes its heroes
An officer-involved shooting was a key factor in several awards earned Friday by members of the Fountain Police Department.
Seven officers were honored for their response to the incident in September 2015, in which Patrick O’Grady, 17, was shot to death after pointing a gun at Officer Johnathan Kay during a disturbance on Legend Oak Drive.
Kay, whom authorities later determined was justified in the shooting, received the Medal of Valor, the department’s highest award.
Kay was honored for “performance above and beyond the scope of his duties and under conditions of extreme risk or death,” according to the medal’s citation.
Sgt. Moses Cho, Sgt. Clint Kramer, Officer Jose Barraza, Officer Justice Reder and dispatchers Lisa Schneider and Alyssa Seaman also received awards for the incident. They were honored for showing courage, compassion and professionalism during a stressful incident.
Cpl. Greg Morris received the department’s Medal of Merit for rescuing people and saving lives during the Planned Parenthood shootings in Colorado Springs on Black Friday 2015.
Morris responded as a member of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and also earned the office’s Distinguished Service Medal.
“It does feel good,” he said. “It’s an extremely tragic situation. I just know that myself and any other coworkers, brothers and sisters I worked with would do the same thing.”
Cho also earned a Chief’s Commendation for diffusing a situation involving an armed man who threatened suicide.
Barraza and Officer Melissa Reynolds received department certificates of appreciation for diffusing a situation involving an armed man who said he was looking for the Easter bunny.
Barraza also earned the department’s Officer of the Fourth Quarter award for his devotion to drunken driving enforcement.
The department schedules two awards ceremonies annually to thank officers for their service.
“It often goes unsaid, the thanks and appreciation,” said Lt. Tommy Coates. “So this is just an opportunity for us to take the time and make sure that we pay the tribute that is rightfully deserved to our officers, and we’re really excited about it.”
The department hopes to have its next awards ceremony this fall.
