As the Sheriff, I often receive complaints from the public in regards to one of my deputies so it is rewarding when I receive a letter of appreciation. I recently received a letter from a lady who wanted to extend her appreciation and gratitude toward Deputy Colten Westbrook. Last year, Deputy Westbrook was dispatched along with an ambulance to a residence concerning some type of medical emergency. Deputy Westbrook arrived on scene first and found an elderly gentleman collapsed on the floor. The wife was knelt down next to her husband and could not get any response. Deputy Westbrook opened the gentleman’s airway and immediately began chest compressions. The wife was in a state of disbelief and shock as she watched Westbrook continue to render aid until the ambulance personnel arrived. Westbrook backed away to try to console the wife as the EMT continued life saving efforts. Westbrook was able to get the wife into another room and calm her down. After several minutes, the gentleman was pronounced dead by EMT personnel. Deputy Westbrook stayed with the wife and continued to console and comfort her until family and friends arrived. Deputy Westbrook felt compelled to share his story of losing a loved one with the wife as they waited. Deputy Westbrook had lost his wife less than a year earlier from a long term illness. His personal experience of losing his wife and his desire to comfort the lady during this very traumatic experience goes to show that police officers and deputy sheriffs are compassionate people. The widowed lady sent a heart felt letter to the Sheriff’s Office a few day ago and I feel like sharing it with everyone. This is an example of one of the many hats we were as law enforcement officers and to console another person during their time of sorrow is rewarding. We have men and women that put their lives on the line everyday for the citizens of this county but at the end of the day we are also compassionate and have feelings too! ( I was given consent by the widow to share this letter on our website)
