By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Nineteen Moapa Valley volunteers and residents were recognized last week for assistance given to Metropolitan Police authorities in the line of duty. Local Metro Sergeant Bret Empey presented a letter of recognition to the group on Wednesday night, April 13, at a meeting of the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board.

Empey explained that on February 12, Metro officers were notified of a missing 1 year old child in the area of Bryner and Moapa Valley Blvd. Within a few minutes of arriving on the scene on that Saturday afternoon, Officer Andy Caldwell determined that, with darkness coming fast, it was a serious situation and that assistance would be needed from the community in finding the child, Empey said.

“After reaching out to the community and placing one call to our volunteer fire department, the outpouring of help was remarkable,” Empey said. “Not only were officers assisted by our volunteer firefighters but also family members of the missing child and other area residents.”

Empey recognized the following volunteer firefighters: Elwin Brown, Matt Nelson, Heather Pratt, Jason Wickersham, Daniel Pray, Brian Burris, Tim DeBerardinis, Kyle DeBerardinis, Don Decaria, Gayle Decaria, Gina Decaria, Mike Otero, Claudia Gamaleri and Roger Huckabey.

Other community members who came to assist included: Lisa Russell, Matt Russell, Matt Waite, Dawn Waite and Evonne Burris.

Many of the recipients were in attendance at the MVTAB meeting for the presentation.

“When you learned of the missing child, you immediately met the need of our community,” Empey told the group. “You gave your own time placing the needs of others ahead of yours. Due to your efforts, the missing child was found unharmed and returned safely to his family. Without your efforts, the outcome of this incident could not have been the success that it was.

“Your actions reflect highly upon yourself and our community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for a job well done!”