The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office presented its annual awards today, granting its highest civilian honor to Adam Henry and Jason Ricker.
The Civilian Service Award goes to both men for pulling the driver of an 
overturned and burning car out of the vehicle before it exploded in flames. Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn says there’s no doubt they saved the driver’s life.
The crash happened on May 21st on Route 104. Henry and Ricker were driving by, saw the crash and ran to check on the occupants of the car. They got the driver out and stayed with him until first responders got there, then provided important information to deputies.
The Distinguished Service Medal goes to Deputy John Demarco in recognition of 16 years of service. As a jail deputy, Demarco is credited with more than 21 actions identifying attempts to smuggle contraband into the Monroe County jail, preventing serious incidents.
The entire awards list:
Mr. Adam Henry and Mr. Jason Ricker
The Sheriff’s Civilian Service Award is presented in recognition and appreciation for your outstanding lifesaving actions. On May 21, 2016, you were driving on Rt. 104 and noticed an overturned vehicle on fire, along the side of the road. You and one other driver pulled over to check on the vehicle and passengers. Once you neared the vehicle it was clear the driver was injured and still inside. With your combined efforts, you were able to pull the driver to safety before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. You remained with the driver until first responders arrived and then assisted deputies by providing investigative information. There is no doubt that your combined actions saved the life of the driver, as the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames when responders arrived. Your actions are a credit to yourself and your community, and have earned you the sincere appreciation of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Rebecca Tufano
The Sheriff’s Commendation Ribbon is given in recognition and appreciation for your service while assigned as the Sheriff’s Records Manager. Twice in the last 12 months you have been credited with quick intervention during medical emergencies of your employees. Because of your keen observation and compassion for fellow members, medical invention was obtained and more serious life threatening injuries were avoided. Once medical care was received you continued to demonstrate your compassion by assisting them through the recovery process and ensuring their basic needs were being met. Further, you have established a positive and productive work environment that represents the Sheriff’s Office in the most professional manner expected by the public. These actions represent those of a manager that is able to lead effectively and with compassion, rising above and beyond your role. Your leadership style has brought great credit upon yourself, the Staff Services Bureau, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators Eric Mezzoprete and Lisa Spallina
The Sheriff’s Commendation is given in recognition of and in appreciation for your service while assigned to the Criminal Investigation Section. In the late summer of 2015 you were assigned a burglary investigation involving the theft of several firearms, to include an assault rifle, from a residence. Over the course of several weeks you worked tirelessly to uncover evidence, develop informants and track the sale of these firearms. The investigation quickly expanded to include narcotics, cash and additional weapons, as well as possible links to a homicide investigation in the City of Rochester.
Inv. Mezzoprete, As the Case Agent you and your team were able to identify suspects and ultimately recover all of the stolen firearms, to include an additional assault rifle, as well as cocaine and heroin. Through your investigative ability along with your tenacity, commitment, and teamwork, you both successfully closed this investigation with multiple felony arrests and removed a significant threat to public safety from the streets in the form of stolen firearms and assault rifles. Your actions have brought great credit upon yourself, the Police Bureau, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy John Demarco
The Distinguished Service Medal is presented in recognition and appreciation for your 16 years of outstanding service to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Your attention to detail and commitment to preventing dangerous contraband from coming into the jail has had an immediate and significant effect on the safety of both the inmates and staff. Your devotion to duty is evident as your supervisors credit you with over 21 separate incidents where your actions identifying contraband have prevented a serious incident. Throughout your career you have worked tirelessly towards the safety of your fellow deputies and the entire jail population. Your superior performance and commitment to duty have been done in a most challenging and stressful environment. These actions epitomize the Sheriff’s Office core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence. You bring great credit to yourself, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the entire law enforcement community.
Deputy Richard Kellar
The Distinguished Service Medal is given in recognition of your 27 years of service. This includes several accolades that highlight your dedication and devotion to duty. You have been a defensive tactics, firearms, Taser, and Glock Armorer Instructor among some of your responsibilities. In other capacities, you have received Master Instructor certification on your own personal time and you have helped the court bureau achieve both National and New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation. You consistently take an interest in improving the safety and proficiency of our workforce. You remain committed to doing your job with the highest level of professionalism all while maintaining the highest work ethic. Your significant contributions and your service to the public are in the highest traditions of law enforcement. You bring great credit to yourself, the court bureau, and the entire Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigator Shawn Jarrold
The Life Saving Award is given in recognition of, and appreciation for, your outstanding lifesaving actions. On May 9, 2016, you responded to a one car motor vehicle accident on Jefferson Road in the Town of Henrietta, where you found the driver slumped over the wheel. You immediately discovered the victim was unresponsive, not breathing, and had no pulse. Without hesitation you began CPR until E.M.S. personnel arrived and took the victim to the hospital where he received the necessary medical care. E.M.S. professionals say your work was indeed lifesaving. Your actions are in the highest traditions of law enforcement and bring great credit upon yourself, the police bureau, and the entire Sheriff’s Office.
Investigator Christopher Lockwood. Inv. Lockwood could not be here today, so accepting the award on his behalf are his Mother and Step-father Shirley and Michael Rotmans.
The Life Saving Medal is awarded because of your son’s outstanding actions. On May 31 st of this year, Inv. Lockwood was off duty coaching a youth soccer game at Black Creek Park in the Town of Chili when he saw a female fall down near a parked car. He immediately went over to help and realized the woman was unresponsive and not breathing. Inv. Lockwood immediately began CPR until emergency personnel arrived scene and took over her care. She was transported to the hospital where she eventually made a full recovery. Medical professionals say Inv. Lockwood’s quick and effective CPR saved this woman’s life. His actions are in the highest traditions of law enforcement and bring great credit upon himself, his parents, and the entire Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies Kevin Cooper and Edward Peets
The Life Saving Award is given in recognition of, and appreciation for, your outstanding life-saving actions. On September 8, 2015, you both responded to a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Penfield, where you found a semiconscious driver on the shoulder of the road. The victim had suffered a seizure and had no pulse. You helped perform emergency resuscitation efforts. EMS personnel arrived and took the woman to the hospital where she made a full recovery. Medical professionals say your quick and effective CPR saved this person’s life. Your actions are in the highest traditions of law enforcement and bring great credit upon yourself, the Police Bureau, and the entire Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Katie Levy
The Life Saving Medal is awarded for your outstanding actions. On February 26 of this year you were at a Restaurant in the Town of Irondequoit when a nearby customer began choking and could not breathe. Another customer attempted to help her but his efforts did not work. You immediately assisted by stepping in and performing the Heimlich maneuver. After repeated efforts, the food became dislodged and the woman started breathing again. You stayed by her side until fire and EMS arrived to provide further care. The victim reported that your efforts and persistence saved her life and she is forever grateful. You have demonstrated a dedication to serving citizens that’s also evident through your off-duty efforts and it’s indicative of your character. You bring great credit upon yourself, the Court Bureau, and the entire agency.