The Chadron City Council on Monday presented formal letters of commendation to 3 members of the police department for their work in saving the life of a drug overdose victim in late December.

     Dispatcher Felicia Oropeza received a rescue call for an unresponsive man who was barely breathing and sent Sgt Chelsey Stolley, Officer Mark Cloyd, and the Chadron VFD rescue unit to the scene.

       Stolley and Cloyd quickly determined the man was likely suffering from an opioid overdose and administered Narcan, which brought him back to consciousness and allowed the rescue squad to take him to the hospital without incident for further treatment. 

     The letters of commendation praise Oropeza, Stolley, and Cloyd for their “quick and decisive decision-making and action (that) likely saved the man’s life.” 

      Chief Tim Lordino says the department and the city are fortunate to have dedicated employees like the trio working for the community. Mayor Mark Werner agrees completely.

Werner says his feelings extend to all the members of the Chadron Police Department, including the 3 newest members who were sworn in at Monday’s council meeting.

     Edward Grentz, hired Sept 23, Colin Deines – Dec 14, and Sam Cafferty – Jan 6, were all joined by family members for the ceremony.

     All 3 are graduates of the Chadron State College Justice Studies Department and the department’s entire faculty was in the audience for the swearing in. 

      Cafferty came to Chadron State to play football and did for 3 years while Deines is the only Chadron native in the department because his father, Curtis, also came to CSC to play football – starting at center for 4 years and making the CSC Hall of Fame – and made it his home after graduation.