City recognizes officers' efforts
SANDPOINT — The city took time out from its council meeting Wednesday to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of six Sandpoint police officers who have demonstrated excellence while on duty.
Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood called the officers the community’s greatest asset and said it’s priceless to have a staff the caliber of Sandpoint’s.
“They do an excellent job and they deliver service above and beyond the call of duty.” Lockwood said.
“You just don’t get that in today’s age. I hope members of the council and community understand that and are willing to take the steps necessary to maintain this level of employee with this level of expertise, because it pays dividends down the road.”
Officer Darren Osborn was awarded the department Life Saving Medal for his actions on Jan. 23, 2008. While on patrol, Osborn noticed a dark object in the roadway. Upon investigation, he determined that the object was an elderly female, who, he later discovered, had wandered away from a nearby elder care facility. The woman, 91-year-old Lorayne Glass, was near death after prolonged expose to the bitter January cold, which was officially recorded at -2 Fahrenheit. Osborn’s immediate response and skillful use of first aid techniques were enough to save Glass’s life and earn him the Life Saving Medal.
On the night of Nov. 24, 2007, Sgt. David Giffin was flagged down by an employee of the Downtown Crossing in Sandpoint and told that the business had just been robbed at gunpoint. The employee pointed out the suspect as he entered the nearby Synergy Bar, and Giffin followed close behind. Inside the crowded bar, Giffin was attempting to apprehend the suspect when he noticed the man reaching into his waist band. The suspect brandished a 9mm handgun and Giffin took action, pinning the suspect’s hand against his body and eventually wresting the gun from him. According to department policy and Idaho Code, Giffin would have been justified in using deadly force in the situation, but he realized that firing a gun inside the bar would have endangered the lives of numerous patrons and decided to put himself in harm’s way to protect innocent bystanders. His efforts in the situation earned him the department’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor.
On July 7, 2006, Det. Cpl. Kit Sanger began working with a confidential informant to disrupt a vast narcotics ring operating throughout Bonner County. Through his investigation, Sanger learned that cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, mushrooms and marijuana were being sold to local residents by a Yakima, Wash., group called the Llamas. The Llamas used a sophisticated Web-based communications system that enabled customers to purchase drugs via the Internet and by mail. Sanger’s investigation resulted in multiple arrests, including the two top members of the Llamas family and the seizure of $90,000 in drugs. For his work, Sanger was awarded the department’s Meritorious Service Award.
The murder investigation of 25-year-old Chris West began in the early hours of Aug. 21, 2005, with Det. Lt. Corey Coon, Det. Cpl. Christian Higbee and Officer Christopher Giese scouring the crime scene for evidence. The scene, located at Evergreen Towing Company, covered nearly a half-acre of land that was littered with automobiles and automobile parts. Through the use of tried methods of investigation, interrogation and crime scene processing, the team was able to come up with list of suspects, obtain search warrants and arrest those responsible for the brutal murder. For their work on the case, Higbee and Coons were awarded the department Meritorious Service Award, and Giese was given a department commendation.