On Saturday October 26th, 2024 the American Legion Harry C. Miller Post 1187 held our annual Birthday and First Responder Banquet to both celebrate our Post’s founding in 1987, and honor the men and women of our local Law Enforcement and Fire Departments who serve our community every day.
We had a great turn out with all of our Legion Family organizations well represented, over 60 members in attendance along with dignitaries and honorees from Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Rock Police Department, and the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department, as well as the Town of Castle Rock.
Following the welcome, introductions, and invocation, we remembered those Missing In Action with the POW/MIA Remembrance Service. This was followed by a presentation by local author, Flint Whitlock, called “Skiing Off to War with the 10th Mountain Division” covering the founding and history of the storied 10th Mountain Division.
View the full photo album here.
Honorees
Next we honored three outstanding individuals who served our community. Commander Dave Giboo stated, “America is blessed with amazing and dedicated Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters. Their profession requires life and death decisions and in today’s world, often facing scrutiny. We are here today to honor three of these individuals.”
Lt. Steve Coffin – 2024 Firefighter of the Year
Lieutenant Coffin has been with the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department since January of 2013, and during that time, he has worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic and currently serves as the Lieutenant at Station 153 on A-Shift.
Throughout his time, Steve has shown a great passion for making the department better, as well as ensuring that all firefighters are taken care of in a time of need.
As a firefighter, Steve helped initiate and lead a department-wide change in departmental response to technical rescue incidents. These changes fundamentally impacted how firefighters are equipped, staffing models, and how everyone gets trained for these emergencies. This process took hundreds of hours over several years, and it has given CRFD an increased operational capacity to respond with better trained members, which in turn, better serves the community.
Additionally, Lt. Coffin is the current Director of Operations of the Castle Rock Professional Firefighter Foundation. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) and raises money to provide financial assistance to Colorado firefighters and their families in times of need. Steve’s volunteer work for the foundation is highlighted by the annual golf tournament held at the Plum Creek Golf Course, which he helps organize.
Steve exemplifies the best in organizational values by selflessly caring for team members and serving the Castle Rock community.
The American Legion Harry C Miller Post 1187 is honored to present Lieutenant Steve Coffin our 2024 Firefighter of the Year.
Deputy Seth Myers – 2024 Sheriffs’ Officer of the Year
Deputy Myers is currently assigned to the Douglas County Detentions Facility and is an active member/leader on the full time SORT Team (Special Operations Response Team). Being a member/leader of the SORT Team, Deputy Myers has had to respond to critical incidents in the jail (inmate on inmate fights, inmate on deputy fights, suicidal inmates and cell extractions are a few examples), Special operations outside of the jail (riot control, group protests, high-risk transports and natural disaster responses are another few examples). The SORT Team wears many hats for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Myers has been a very valued member/leader on this team for over 6 years. Deputy Myers is also an FTO (Field Training Instructor) for the Detentions Division. Deputy Myers is one of the best FTO’s in the division. Deputy Myers has trained may deputies that have become FTO’s within the detentions division, be leaders in other divisions and or have been promoted within the agency. Deputy Myers military background and training has been extremely beneficial to his work ethic and work product that he brings to work with him every single day. Deputy Myers truly is an asset to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Myers started his journey with DCSO as a Cadet in July 2016. He has served in patrol, as a school resource officer, in detentions, and on SORT. But his commitment to service began long before that. In 2006, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves as a hospital corpsman (or medic), serving with the Fleet Marine Force. From 2006 to 2016, he was attached to the Marines with deployments to Haiti and Afghanistan. He separated from the Reserves in July of 2016 after starting with DCSO.
After a 7-year hiatus, Deputy Myers re-enlisted with the USNR in April 2023 and has resumed his previous role within the organization. His dedication to both his country and community is truly inspiring.
The American Legion Harry C Miller Post 1187 is honored to present Deputy Myers our 2024 Sheriffs’ Officer of the Year.
Detective Jason Maes – 2024 Police Officer of the Year
With 19 years of dedicated service to the investigations Division Detective Jason Maes has distinguished himself through his investigative work, leadership, and commitment to both his profession and the community.
Detective Maes is an expert in financial crimes and complex organized retail crimes. He is recognized by the 18th Judicial District. His expertise has earned him a key role in the Douglas County Financial Investigative Regional Strike Team (F.I.R.S.T. Task Force), where he investigates multi-jurisdictional white-collar and organized retail crime cases. In addition to his work with the talk force, he carries a significant caseload for the Castle Rock Police Department, demonstrating a commitment to justice.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Detective Maes has been awarded the prestigious “Master Police Officer”
designation by the Castle Rock Police Department. This reflects not only his professional accomplishments but also his dedication to the community.
Detective Maes also serves as and executive board member and Director of Technology and Engagement for the Colorado Organized Retail Crime Alliance (COORCA), and organization that fosters collaboration between law enforcement and retail investigators.
Through this role, he facilitates intelligence sharing to combat organized retail crime thought Colorado. His additional credentials as a Certified Fraud Examiner further demonstrate his expertise in preventing and uncovering fraud.
In addition to these duties, Detective Maes is an active member of the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team and Child Abduction Response Team, where he responds to critical incidents involving officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and child abductions. His leadership in these high-stakes situations underscores his professionalism and commitment to protecting the community.
The American Legion Harry C Miller Post 1187 is honored to present Detective Jason Maes our 2024 Police Officer of the Year.
Closing out the banquet the Auxiliary held a gift basket drawing and we held a flag folding ceremony, the playing of Taps, and a benediction.
Thank you to everyone who help make this a great event, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year!
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