Officers, therapists honored for saving lives
Dan McDonald Managing Editor 2/23/2015
In the past three years, two Plumas County deputies found themselves in life-and- death situations that left them no choice but to use deadly force against an armed attacker.
Sheriff Greg Hagwood called the deputies’ actions “heroic” and said they likely saved the lives of innocent bystanders.
Wednesday, Feb. 11, the sheriff honored deputies Tom Froggatt and Tom Klundby with the Medal of Valor.
Both men received loud applause from the crowd of about 100 friends, family and co-workers who attended the ceremony at the Plumas County Courthouse.
“In the past, events such as this have always been held privately,” Hagwood said. “Today we are going to change that up a bit. And we are going to recognize some very, very special men and women … in a very, very public way.”
In addition to Froggatt and Klundby, 12 officers and two county Mental Health workers were honored with certificates and medals during the ceremony.
“Whether it’s for years of continuous service, or actions committed in a single moment, these individuals have distinguished themselves in a manner which calls for recognition,” Hagwood said. “And it’s my distinct pleasure to recognize you today, and offer you a very sincere thank-you.”
On June 19, 2012, Deputy Froggatt was dispatched to a scene in a Quincy residential area where a violent suspect claimed he was about to embark on “a killing spree.”
Froggatt, who arrived alone, tried to negotiate with the armed man, even backing away to create space between the two. But the suspect continued to advance toward the deputy.
“He was compelled to use deadly force to overcome the suspect’s actions,” Hagwood said. “In doing so, he defended the lives of other citizens in the area and himself from imminent danger.”
On Oct. 20, 2013, Deputy Klundby also responded alone to deal with “an armed and hostile individual,” this time at Eastern Plumas Health Care in Portola.
As hospital staffers watched, Klundby wrestled with the suspect after the man attacked him.
“Deputy Klundby became involved in a life-and-death struggle,” Hagwood said. “The suspect made several attempts to disarm him.” The suspect managed to get his hands on the deputy’s holstered gun and fire a shot.
“After a lengthy struggle, where Deputy Klundby attempted to use every resource available to subdue the suspect, Deputy Klundby was compelled to use deadly force to overcome the suspect’s actions,” the sheriff said. “In doing so, Deputy Klundby defended the hospital staff and his own life from imminent danger.”
Life-Saving Award On Aug. 21, 2014, four officers and two Mental Health workers joined forces to thwart a suicide attempt on the Spanish Creek Bridge, about 8 miles west of Quincy.
The six were honored with a Life-Saving Award from both the Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol for their collaborated efforts on that day.
CHP Officer Brian Goings, Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Johns and Deputies Robert Gott and Mike Meisenheimer responded to the scene where a man was standing outside the rail threatening to jump.
The officers were later joined by county Mental Health therapists Becky Powers and Pam Schaffer.
Powers and Schaffer negotiated with the man for more than an hour. As the negotiations began to deteriorate, the therapists agreed to attempt to physically grab the man.
“They did this even though they realized they could be harmed in doing so,” Hagwood said.
After Powers and Schaffer were able to hold the man’s hands, he tried to break free and jump. That’s when the officers rushed the man and pulled him off the bridge.
“The greatest thing we can do for someone else is to safe their life. And something even greater is to give our life for them,” CHP Commander Joe Edwards said. “We saw that on the bridge that day.
“It wasn’t a clear-cut case on exactly what to do. But I’m grateful that the six people that were on scene made the right decisions.
“The gentleman they saved … as far as we are aware of, he lives today. And he was a veteran. He had spent time protecting us. I’m grateful that on that day we had six people there to rescue a potential hero off of that bridge and not allow him to jump.”
Quick thinking saved a life Sheriff’s Deputy Andrea Murana was honored for keeping a person from bleeding to death Oct. 22, 2011.
After responding to a call at the Sierra Motel in Portola, Murana saw a person on the ground with a severed arm.
“Blood was spraying 6 feet in the air, striking the windows of the motel,” Hagwood said.
Deputy Murana quickly ran into the motel, grabbed a pillowcase and twisted it into a tourniquet to stop blood flow. She marked the time on the victim’s forehead with a pen and waited for medical responders to arrive.
An Eastern Plumas Health Care doctor credited Murana with saving the person’s life.
“Had it not been for Deputy Murana’s actions the person would have bled to death,” Hagwood said. “Due to her dedication, a life was saved that day.”
Outstanding service Seven men were recognized for their distinguished service with the Sheriff’s Office.
Mike Grant, Ralph Schroeder and John Kolb received a certificate of appreciation for their combined 112 years of service with Search and Rescue. Schroeder and Kolb each have 38 years, Grant has 36 years.
Reserve Deputies Bob Orange and Nick Dawson were honored with a certificate for outstanding service to the Sheriff’s Office.
Jail Commander Chad Hermann was honored for 15 years of dedicated service on the sheriff’s SWAT team.
Assistant Sheriff Gerry Hendrick was honored for 18 years of dedicated service on the SWAT team.
Poster Comment:
GrandIsland thought this story was appropriate to post on the Vets thread, and asked if I was friend's with the 'criminal animals' that were the perps. Since I moved to Plumas County just a year ago, I was unable to make him happy.
