Custer County National Night Out Honors "The Thin Blue Line"
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Mark your calendars for National Night Out,
sponsored by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. This year, the event will be next Tuesday, August 6, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club, located at 90 County Rd. 241 in Westcliffe. Come out and support those that protect and defend us. The evening will begin with a presentation of the colors by the American Legion Post 170 and the National Anthem will be sung. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the deputies and staff of the CCSO and enjoy grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, along with side dishes. Sugarfoot, a local band, is sure to entertain the masses with their lively tunes. There will be a bounce house, donated by First Baptist Church in Westcliffe for the kiddos to enjoy along with a dunk tank, manned by the Search and Rescue Dive Team, basketball, and other games and activities. Participation in any activity other than the Tug-a-Cop-Car, is by donation only. The Colorado State Patrol will be involved and Trooper Shields may bring his K-9 along. There will be a “Tug- a- Cop- Car.” Cost is $5-$10 per team, with the proceeds being split between the CCSO and the winning team. |
Custer County Search and Rescue and Custer County
EMS will speak on the partnerships between first responders and how they make it work. The Wet Mountain Fire Protection District (WMFPD) will give a demonstration on how the Jaws of Life works. The car has been donated by Forsaken Towing. The CCSO wishes to thank the following businesses and individuals that have donated to this year’s National Night Out in Custer County. First Baptist Church, Crestone Graphics for making the banners which will be distributed around the community, and Dollar General who has offered to blow up all the balloons. There are 10 sponsorship levels and the community still has time to help fund this yearly event. All proceeds raised go to National Night Out, locally. All sponsorships are tax-deductible as well. Stop by the CCSO to make a donation. Sponsorship forms are available in the front entry room. The theme this year is the “Thin Blue Line.” There will be a balloon arch in honor of all the fallen officers killed in the line of duty. - by Tracy Ballard |
Tip-A-Cop Fundraiser Garners Nearly $1,300
For The CCSD Lunch Program
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Last month, the Silver Cliff Mountain Inn,
A.K.A. “Willie’s Place” hosted the annual “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser on Wednesday, June 12. Diners were able to have a great meal and tip the staff, deputies, and posse members of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office at the same time. During the event, $1,297 was raised. Monies will go to help fund the Custer County School lunch program. Organizers wish to thank the following for their time, dedication, and generosity that made this year’s fundraiser a huge success. |
Extra special thanks to Willie, Cheryl, along
with their staff at the Silver Cliff Mountain Inn, many thanks to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office staff, deputies, and posse that volunteered, including, Sheriff Byerly, Mike Halpin, Sgt. Buck Wenzel, Chelsea Geanetta, Dawn Ramsdell, Jim Parkes, Ted Rockinhouse, Neil Swan, and Greg Reeve. A special thank you goes to Anita Gregg, representing the Custer County School District. She was there throughout the entire event. And also to all of you that came out for such a great cause! See you at the next Tip-A- Cop event. - by Tracy Ballard |
Paula Mankel, "The Brains of the Operation"
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Paula Mankel is the administrative manager at the Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). “As the administrative manager, I am the receptionist, manage the records, pay the monthly bills although the county does the hard part, recently took over the concealed handgun program, and I also coordinate the civil process program.” Mankel definitely keeps the office running smoothly. Sheriff Byerly stepped in during the interview and complimented her by saying, “she’s the brains of the whole operation.” Her background has always been in administration, it’s only within the last 16 years that she has worked the law enforcement side of it. Mankel has been with the CCSO a little over three years now and has settled into her position nicely. “I want citizens to know that I have found police officers, deputies, the ones I have always worked around, have been really good people and this department has been no exception to that. They really care about the community and this office, in my opinion, is a really good place to work. It is a very pleasant atmosphere. I am really happy to be among them.” Mankel commutes from Canon City where she and her husband of 18 years live. He works for the Department of Corrections in the state. They have two adult children and an infant granddaughter. As an administrative manager, she has to participate in programs put on by “ALERT/SAM.” |
“According to The Colorado Certified
Records Network (CCRN), which is an independent organization working in conjunction with the Association of Law Enforcement Records Technicians, Supervisors, and Managers to establish a standard by which public safety records personnel can be measured, accredited, and recognized according to criteria of experience and capability established by their peers. CCRN is governed by a Board of Advisors, endorsed by the County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC), the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and recognized by the Colorado Department of Law’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Mankel explained the simple process that persons seeking a concealed weapon permit will need to complete. “You get one of the classes and we have several people that do that in Custer County. It can also be taken anywhere in the state. The class goes through everything you need for the concealed handgun permit process. You fill out the form, pay your money, and we send your information off to the state and they do the Insta-Check to make sure you are eligible to possess a firearm. We do a background check on you to make sure nothing has slipped by, then the Sheriff issues a card for you.” The cost is $52.50 payable in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. The CCSO does not charge a fee as Sheriff Byerly has waived all fees for it. “We just take whatever fees the person gives us and we send it straight up to state.” All the information and forms can be found at: www.countysheriffs.org. The forms cannot be emailed as they must be signed in person. The entire process must be completed within 90 days. To contact Mankel, please call 719 783- 2270. - by Tracy Ballard |
Paula Mankel- CCSO Administrative Manager - Courtesy Photo by the CCSO