Speaking with winner of Teller County Sheriff’s Office’s first ‘Turkey Shoot’
TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO)- KRDO 13 reporter Bradley Davis and Digital Director Emily Arseneau hit the range with the Teller County Sheriff and the winner of Saturday's Turkey Shoot competition to talk about its broader impact on the community.
"Somehow a blind squirrel found a nut," winner Rick Byrd said.
Byrd and Arseneau, a Teller County native and skilled rifle shooter herself, went head-to-head Tuesday morning on a one-shot-wins-all shoot-off with no warm-up, in the dark cold, and on live TV.
All the money raised from ticket prices Saturday went to the Honorary Deputy Sheriff Association (HDSA), specifically its "Shop with a Hero," program, where first responders are paired with disadvantaged children to take them gift shopping ahead of the holiday season.
"To be able to walk kids down an aisle and be able to give them something that they may not have had, it's every hero's dream, right?" Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.
Originally, only the winner was promised a free frozen turkey. Mikesell said the department changed its mind when Walmart donated 20 Turkeys instead of just one, and after seeing participants showing up for Saturday's competition despite the unfavorable elements.
"Everybody got a turkey," Mikesell said. "Everybody braved that cold weather to come out here and do it. It was super cold, and it created that understanding that we're here to give to you."
With his own won turkey, Byrd said he's also in the giving spirit.
"I heard a story years and years ago about the president of the Salvation Army," Byrd said. "He sent a telegram, and it had one word on it, and the word was 'others,' and that pretty much wraps up our life. We'd like to do something to help people in any opportunity that we get. So if we could find a family that can benefit from a turkey, absolutely. We'll give it to them."
ORIGINAL ARTICLE DATED OCTOBER 19, 2024
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, community members from across Teller County came to the Teller County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) shooting range.
Firearm instructors stood close by while locals had the chance to shoot their shots at turkey targets.
TCSO grilled up hamburgers and hotdogs for guests to buy. They also offered free s'mores and a warm fire to cozy up by.
Turkey Shoot was hosted by TCSO and the Honorary Deputy Sheriff Association (HDSA).
All proceeds from tickets priced from $10 to $20 go to HDSA and help fund the department's "Shop with a Hero" event in December.
