Elks 2024 Law Enforcement/Firefighter Awards – Buz Blog

Photo: Engineer/Paramedic Adam Croft receiving his Firefighter of the Year award from Buz Williams

I am the chairman of the Law Enforcement/Firefighter Recognition Committee for Elks Lodge #330 here in the Prescott area. On Tuesday night, March 5, we had the award ceremony. The following paragraphs are from my remarks acknowledging the excellent law officers and firefighters we are blessed with in our community.

Each year, Elks all over the country, and our Lodge in particular, gather to honor those who have chosen professions that often place their lives and bodies in harms way. It is not just a platitude that the men and women who fight fires and enforce our laws have the courage to run toward danger. They do this despite the fact that human nature and logic tell us to flee those dangers.

Firefighters actions stop the spread and put out horrific conflagrations. Their paramedics medical training and actions save lives and occasionally revive those whose hearts have stopped.

Police officers, Sheriff deputies and state troopers man the thin blue line between anarchy and order, between criminals and victims, between open roads and highways of death, injury and destruction.

While we honor these heroes tonight, we must also recognize the support they receive from their spouses and families; those that kiss them goodbye and pray for them while they are at work. In addition, let me recognize those that supervise these officers and firefighters who protect us.

From the Highway Patrol Captain David Stopke

From Central Arizona Fire Fire Chief Freitag

From Prescott Fire Department Fire Chief Holger Durre

From Prescott Police Department Police Chief Amy Bonney

From Prescott Valley PD Assistant Police Chief James Edelstein

From Yavapai County Sheriff Commander Tom Boelts

Having laid that background, let me present to you now, the 2024 recipients we are recognizing tonight.

From the Arizona Highway Patrol – Trooper Robert Coker

Prior to becoming a State Trooper in 2022, Robert Coker was a Prescott police officer. Trooper Coker is an Arizona Standards and Training Reconstructionist and a General Instructor. In addition, Trooper Coker is an instructor in Standard Field Sobriety/Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. He teaches and certifies troopers and officers throughout the state in the detection of impaired drivers. Last year Trooper Coker assisted with training at the Northern Arizona Regional Academy and the Phoenix Regional Training Academy.

When he wasn’t training others in Law Enforcement, Trooper Coker conducted 1,464 traffic stops and contacts, which resulted in 47 arrests of which 38 were impaired drivers and 5 were illicit drug arrests in our area. He issued 1,340 citations of which 1,005 were hazardous moving violations. Trooper Coker conducted 17 collision investigations. He is a qualified Phlebotomist and conducted 30 blood draws for troopers and officers in the area. He has assisted other agencies on numerous occasions and is noted for his strong work ethic.

From Central Arizona Fire – Engineer/Paramedic Adam Croft

During his 8 year career, Engineer/Paramedic Croft has been an active participant in departmental activities, personnel development, and the teaching and mentoring fellow firefighters and paramedics. He has been an instructor in his department’s EMS program including teaching ACLS, BLS, CPR and PALS Refreshers. Engineer/Paramedic Croft is involved in many events including the Annual Pediatric Symposium in Flagstaff and EMS training for Prescott Valley PD. He is known for ensuring fire apparatus readiness.

During the past monsoon season, Engineer Croft was the acting Captain at Station 63. He recognized the potential challenges for fire trucks after heavy rainfall in Chino Valley where the flooding cut off access to an area unofficially known as “The Island”. Along with Firefighter Stewart, they proactively developed a map that ID’d problem areas and the only access point available. They then shared the map with all Battalion 6 Captains. This map proved vital in Engine 61 to navigate to a scene in that area and deliver effective medical aid and transporting the patient out of the area.

Engineer/Paramedic Croft strictly maintains his diet, fitness and training. This past year he has attended the Phoenix Firefighter Symposium, the Extrication Course, the S-215 Fire Ops in Wildland Urban Interface and a propane training course. In addition, Adam Croft volunteers as a school board member for the Mingus Springs Elementary School in Chino Valley.

His Department recognizes Engineer/Firefighter Croft for his leadership, commitment and pride in the job.

From the Prescott Fire Department – Engineer Adam Morris

During his years on the Prescott Fire Department, Engineer Adam Morris has shown his unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of honor and respect within the firefighting community. He has served as the Prescott Fire Department Honor Guard Commander for several years, exemplifying exceptional dedication and leadership. Engineer Morris displayed his leadership skills during the 10th commemoration of the Granite Mountain Hotshot tragedy. Adam led a team of over 200 honor guard members from around the country. He orchestrated a moving tribute to the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots that was poignant, respectful and meaningful.

Engineer Morris’ ability to organize and lead such complex and significant events speaks volumes about his leadership and dedication to honoring the sacrifices made by his fellow firefighters. His department states that he consistently embodies the values of integrity, service and selflessness that define an outstanding Firefighter.

From the Prescott Police Department – Officer Dylan Schrock

Officer Dylan Schrock graduated from the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy (NARTA) in 2022. Within a short time of becoming a solo police officer, Dylan Schrock has demonstrated that he is a valuable team member and someone who is reliable and has a strong work ethic. He shows extreme professionalism and is highly proactive, particularly in the area of traffic enforcement. Dylan has a passion for keeping the streets safe by removing impaired drivers from the roads.

Officer Schrock also has a willingness to give back to his profession by volunteering his time to assist with defensive tactics scenarios and other classes at NARTA. His department states the Dylan demonstrates the department’s core values of Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Photo: Detective Brian Hohrein receiving his award with Buz Williams

From the Prescott Valley Police Dept – Detective Brian Hohrein

Detective Brian Hohrein has served the citizen of Prescott Valley for 10 years: the first 5 years a Patrol Officer and the last 5 as a detective. He has investigated felony crimes, been a pioneering member of the Drone Program, he is the Terrorism Liasson Officer and is the Department of Homeland Security Task Force Officer, he was Field Training Officer, General Instructor and a Police Academy Instructor, an Honor Guard team member and a key member in designing the Department’s organizational flag and new badge.

Some of his successful investigations resulting in arrests and prosecutions include multiple child exploitation, bank robbery, multiple aggravated assaults involving firearms, armed robberies, multiple fraudulent scheme, threats and harassment against law enforcement personnel, and two homicide investigation.

Detective Hohrein is an innovator. Over the last 3½ years he researched drone use in law enforcement, contacted other agencies, the FAA, partnered with Embry Riddle for free training for Police Officer, identified drone equipment and developed a new drone policy.

He is instrumental as a Terrorism Liaison Officer, attending quarterly intelligence meetings and shares that information department wide and utilizes it with workups used for dignitary events, gang related events, parades, protests and when officer safety issues arise. It is obvious that his department highly values Detective Hohrein.

From the Yavapai County Sheriff – Deputy Darrell McClintock

The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office tells us that Deputy Darrell McClintock is dedicated, motivated and committed to not only YCSO, but to the people he serves in this community. One of Deputy McClintock’s greatest strength is his attitude. Deputy McClintock always has a positive outlook in everything he does. He willingly covers shifts, comes in early or stays late, comes in on his days off, covers jail shifts, or whatever the Sheriff’s Office needs. Deputy McClintock is a hard worker and dedicated to serving others.

Fellow Elks, these are the Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers recipients for 2024.