This Year’s Elks First Responder Awards – Buz Blog

On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, our local Prescott Elks Lodge #330 held a dinner and award ceremony for our local law enforcers and firefighters. The following is the event as it was presented by Chairman Buz Williams.

Every year, Elks Lodges all over the country honor those who run toward danger and who protect us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They put their lives on the line every day they go to work. These are the men and women who often sacrifice their holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other events away from their families and friends.

And while we honor them for their devotion to duty and the sacrifices they have made, we must also recognize their spouses, family and friends who support them in their chosen careers.

The recipients tonight were selected by the heads of their respective departments as distinguished among the other hardworking firefighters, officers, troopers, and deputies they work with.

This year, Elks Lodge #330 recognized the following Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters:

Arizona Highway Patrol

Trooper Robert Coker

We would like to honor Trooper Robert Coker. Trooper Coker was a Prescott Police officer prior to becoming a State Trooper in 2022. He is an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Accident Reconstructionist and a General Gaze Nystagmus instructor. He teaches and certifies troopers, deputy sheriffs and officers throughout the state in the detection of impaired drivers. Last year, Trooper Coker assisted with the training at the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy and the Phoenix Regional Training Academy.

In the past year Trooper Coker conducted 1,292 traffic stops and contacts which resulted in 51 arrests of which 36 were impaired drivers and 2 for illicit drug arrests in the Prescott area. He issued 1,400 citations of which 1,367 were hazardous moving violations. Trooper Coker conducted 29 collision investigations. Trooper Coker is a qualified Phlebotomist and he performed 39 blood draws for troopers and officers in our area. He has assisted other agencies on numerous occasions and is noted for his strong work ethics.

Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority

Captain Bob Rendl

Captain Rendl has served the Quad City area for over 30 years. His dedication to fire and emergency medical services is matched by his passion for mentoring new generations of firefighters. His commitment to serving the people of our state is demonstrated by the many actions he has taken both on and off duty. He has stopped at accident scenes to render aid. His actions have saved lives and brought comfort during catastrophic events, including life saving measures during cardiac arrest, while Captain Rendl was in civilian attire.

Bob and his wife Daphne, both serve in public safety roles. Together, they represent the best of what it means to be community leaders and role models. Whether leading his team, supporting his peers, or serving citizens in their time of greatest need, Captain Bob Rendl consistently goes above and beyond expectations.

Prescott Fire Department

Captain Jeff Archer

Throughout his career, Captain Archer has been committed to the mission of the Prescott Fire Department, especially in the area of wildfire response. He recently completed his term as the Wildfire Group Coordinator, where he oversaw critical programs that shape the future of the Department’s wildfire capabilities. Since the 2013 Granite Mountain tragedy, Captain Archer’s efforts have greatly improved the Department’s ability to fight wildfires, now and in years to come.

Wildfires are one of the highest risks faced by the Prescott Fire Department. His work in this area has not only increased the effectiveness of our Department, but has also enhanced the safety of our community.

In addition to his role as the Wildfire Group Coordinator, Captain Archer is an acting Battalion Chief and has elected to be assigned to the Department’s aircraft rescue and firefighting station. He maintains a balance between his work life and his home life as a devoted husband and father.

Prescott Police Department

Detective Jasmine Cardenas

Detective Jasmine Cardenas began her career at the Prescott Police Department in July of 2019. In 2022, she was selected as one of the Department’s Sexual Assault Response Team detectives. Very soon Detective Cardenas proved to be an extremely hard worker and produced the work product of a seasoned investigator.

In addition to the large caseload she manages, Detective Cardenas is also responsible for overseeing the Department’s program that investigates numerous sex offenders for being out of compliance with their legal restrictions. In one year she successfully arrested five offenders – all of which resulted in convictions.

During the last year, she actively participated in sexual predator operations, where she was assigned to be an undercover chatterer. This job required Detective Cardenas to spend many hours setting up profiles, taking photos and conversing with predators on the phone or by text, often while she was off-duty. Numerous arrests resulted from her hard work and increased her knowledge and skill, which allows her to help teach other detectives to do the same successfully. The Department recognizes Detective Cardenas’s passion for the job and that she plays a huge role in keeping Prescott and the surrounding communities safe.

Prescott Valley Police Department

Officer Carl Leithead

Officer Leithead’s exceptional dedication and commitment to the Prescott Valley Police Department makes him a standout officer. Not only does he excel in his day-to-day duties, but Officer Leithead also shares his expertise by training newer officers, ensuring that the Department maintains high standards of professionalism and effectiveness. Officer Leithead is also great when interacting with the community, further strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the public.

He has an unwavering work ethic; Officer Leithead consistently takes on a significant volume of calls for service without ever expressing a hint of complaint. His passion for effectively removing narcotics from our streets contributes to the safety of our community. Officer Leithead always displays a willingness to go above and beyond when it comes to the safety and well-being of others and this coupled with his exemplary professionalism, make him an example for officers to follow.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Alan Conner

Deputy Alan Conner had 23 years of law enforcement service before he was hired by the Yavapai County Sheriff in 2024. His Lieutenant related one incident that shows Deputy Conner’s determination and dedication to getting the job done. It reads like a scene from a movie.

On October 19, 2024, Deputy Conner was dispatched to a train burglary in progress in a remote area of Seligman. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad contacted the sheriff’ office and stated that several subjects were actively burglarizing one of their train cars and loading the goods into a box truck. This was an ongoing problem that has been investigated by the Sheriffs, BNSF railroad agents and Homeland Security detectives with the crimes being tied to an organized crime group out of Mexico. In July of 2024, a suspect was killed attempting a burglary, when he fell and was pulled under the train.

Deputy Conner arrived in the area and located the box truck of stolen goods and several passenger cars leaving the area. Deputy Conner began following them and asked for backup units to assist. He followed these vehicles onto Interstate 40 toward Kingman while providing dispatch and responding units with updates. At one point, the passenger cars that were with the box truck got behind Deputy Conner, placing him in danger of being ambushed. While he was following these vehicles, at two separate times, different vehicles got between Deputy Conner and the box truck, blocking him and attempting to create space between him and the box truck, Both times he was eventually able to overtake the passenger cars and catch up with the box truck. The box truck turned off its lights and exited the Interstate and then reentered the Interstate in an attempt to evade the Deputy. Deputy Conner followed these vehicles into Mojave County, still waiting for backup. He did this despite the danger to himself and eventually loosing radio contact with dispatch and having to utilize his cell phone to provide updates.

As they continued toward Kingman, units from DPS Arizona Highway Patrol and their airship arrived and a traffic stop was attempted. The vehicles fled, leading DPS troopers to deploy spike strips on the box truck. The box truck then went the wrong way on Interstate 40. A DPS trooper was forced to perform a PIT maneuver to stop the box truck. The box truck then crashed to a stop and the driver fled on foot, but was apprehended after a foot pursuit. While Deputy Conner and multiple troopers handled the box truck, other troopers went in pursuit of the other vehicles involved in the burglary. During those pursuits, another PIT maneuver was employed and two other suspects were arrested.

YCSO Lieutenant Moralez wrote in the commendation, “Deputy Conner’s courageous actions in this case led to the arrest of three suspects. Deputy Conner did this despite being alone, losing radio communications and being put in serious danger due to being boxed in by the suspects’ vehicles. When Deputy Conner first located the suspect vehicles, other YCSO backup units were approximately one hour emergency code 3 drive away.”

Deputy Conner’s action provided a major break for the multi-agency investigators that were investigating these crimes which had resulted in millions of dollars in losses and one death.

We are fortunate in the Tri-city area to have such dedicated firefighters, police officers, troopers and deputies helping to keep us safe.