GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual awards and recognition ceremony honoring agency staff and community members for their extraordinary work in protecting and serving the Mesa County community during the 2025 calendar year.

During the ceremony, 83 individuals received recognition and or awards which can be found below.

Mesa County Agency Awards and Recognitions

Medal of Valor

Awarded to an employee who has performed an act of valor beyond the call of duty in a situation presenting a significant danger to the employee and during which the employee perseveres and carries out whatever must be done with demonstrated courage and professionalism to save a life or perform a duty. The employee, in doing so, severely jeopardizes his/her own life.

• Awarded to Deputy Phillip Peterson 

Life Saving Award (6)

Awarded to members of the Sheriff's Office who, while employed, performed significant life-saving measures on an individual; and these actions led to the prolonging of life to the extent that the victim was released to the care of medical authorities, even though the victim may expire at a later time. The life-saving measures, not the outcome, are the determining factor. This award was presented to:

• Detentions
  
  • Deputy Jose Iglesias
  • Deputy Ryan Cassidy
  • Deputy Louis Dixon
  • Deputy Bryan Espinoza
  • Deputy Justin Baker
  • Deputy Lucas Brown
• Law Operations
  
  • Deputy Logan Hunt (x2)
  • Deputy Nikolette Nequette
  • Deputy Derrick Strauch
  • Co-Response Clinician Tara Buston
  • Deputy Frank Klein
  • Deputy Ryan Reasoner

Excellence Award (8)

Awarded to employees who, through their own efforts, have developed and initiated a means of significantly increasing the agency's administrative or operational efficiency or effectiveness; Or who have developed a problem-solving approach to the delivery of law enforcement services with attention to those factors that contribute to deteriorating conditions in neighborhoods and community decay or to those issues which give rise to crime in the community; Or, through their own efforts, consistently contributes to the mission and vision of the office by performing tasks and duties that go beyond their normal job requirements to the extent that it has a noticeable and profound impact on the morale and effectiveness of the office. This award was presented to:

• Detentions
  
  • Deputy Jordan Hemmer
  • Sergeant Tate Herland
• Law Operations
  
  • Investigator Mark Anderson
  • Investigator Michael Blevins
  • Investigator Robin Martin
  • Investigator Tyler Morton (2)
  • Lieutenant Ross Young (2)
  • Captain Curtis Brammer
  • Patrol Service Technician Chad Music
  • Lieutenant Mark Johnson
• Support Services
  
  • Ashley Huffman
  • Sergeant Justin Montover

Unit Citations (4)

A Unit Citation is awarded to a unit or group for outstanding performance. Unit Citations were presented to:

• Law Operations
  
  • Field Training Officers Unit
• Detentions
  
  • Field Training Officers Unit
  • Contraband Reduction Team
• Support Services
  
  • Professional Standards Unit Recruitment

Citizen Awards and Recognitions

Distinguished Service Award (5)

Any citizen who, through personal initiative and effort, saves or attempts to save another person who is in danger of death or serious bodily injury. This award was presented to:

• Krystal Peterson
• Micah Bautista
• Ezekio Samora
• Amtorres Vargas
• Rachel Cropp

Outstanding Citizenship Award (2)

Awarded to citizens who substantially assist the agency or any of its employees in special administrative assignments or operational assistance. This award was presented to:

• Lorene Hernandez
• Mesa County Human Resources

Certificate of Appreciation (2)

Awarded to a citizen or organization for an act of civic responsibility or assistance to the community that is noteworthy and of significant quality to require an expression of appreciation from the agency. Certificates were presented to:

• Larita Rayer
• Karin Vermeulen

“I am honored to lead an agency of individuals who are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of individuals in Mesa County and beyond,” said Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell. “Our community also never fails to step up in big ways and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate that.”

The Medal of Valor presented to Deputy Phillip Peterson and Distinguished Service Award presented to Krystal Peterson was a unique dual presentation. The awards stem from the same incident which occurred outside of Amarillo, Texas, in March of 2025. Deputy Peterson and Krystal were driving home in a moving truck and family vehicle when a historic stand storm enveloped the highway, causing a 38-car pileup. The two sacrificed their family’s belongings to turn the truck into a shelter where Deputy Peterson provided lifesaving care to multiple critical patients, while Krystal provided support and coordination.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office was also proud to recognize the 39 individuals who joined the agency during the 2025 calendar year, as well as 26 individuals who have served the agency for between five and 30 years.