NW New Mexico News

From March 4, 2023 post.

On January 13, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office held our annual awards banquet where we celebrate the great work of our staff. Over the course of a few weeks, we will highlight some of these awards and the staff that earned them.

Today we recognize Deputy Michael Nelson for receiving a Lifesaving Medal. The Lifesaving Medal is presented to members whose quick actions and selfless response saved the life of another.

On August 1, 2022, Deputy Nelson responded to a residence in Waterflow in reference to a structure fire. Prior to his arrival, dispatch informed him that a deaf male was still inside the residence during the active structure fire. Deputy Nelson responded to the scene with urgency and was the first emergency personnel to arrive. Deputy Nelson rushed to the residence and began attempting verbal commands for people to exit the residence. Deputy Nelson asked if anybody was still in the house and a male informed him there was one person still inside. Deputy Nelson approached the south side of the residence and knocked several times announcing loudly, "Sheriff's Office" prior to taking out his flashlight and breaking the south bedroom window. Deputy Nelson saw a male inside the residence and instructed the male to exit through the window. He helped the resident out of the broken window and urgently escorted him away from the fire and smoke. Due to Deputy Nelson's quick and decisive actions, nobody was injured during the fire. If it were not for Deputy Nelson's response, citizens' lives may have been lost. Deputy Nelson is to be commended for remaining courageous and calm in the face of a life-threatening situation.

Original source can be found here.