The Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Crowley hosted a reception Thursday afternoon honoring employees, in part, for their service during the Ordway fire April 15th.

The Department of Corrections presented the families of Terry DeVore and John Schwartz, Jr. with Purple Hearts in recognition of the sacrifice made by the men when they were killed responding to the fire as volunteers with the Olney Springs Volunteer Fire Department.

DeVore and Schwartz lost their lives when the truck they were riding in crashed while trying to cross a burned out bridge on Highway 96. The fire burned nearly 9000 acres and destroyed 24 homes in and around Ordway.

Accepting the award for DeVore was his wife Jennifer. Receiving Schwartz’s award were his sons Cody and Jacob and his father, John.

AVCF Warden, Michael Arellano stated, “None of us can feel your pain, but we’ll always be here for you. Thank you for letting us have them for a short time.”

The Purple Heart is awarded to a DOC employee who is killed, seriously wounded or seriously injured in the performance of an official action. Only one other Purple Heart has been awarded, going to Eric Autobee of Pueblo who was murdered in 2002 by an inmate at the correctional facility in Limon.

State Representative Cory Gardner, Yuma, and State Senator Ken Kester, Las Animas, were on hand for the ceremony and commended the employees on their outstanding service daily at the facility and also during the fire.

Kester said, “I am very proud of what you do here everyday. I am humbled to be here.”
“Your actions, your bravery and the sacrifices you made, make Colorado even prouder,” Gardner said. “And, thank you to the families for all you’ve given,” he added, addressing the DeVore and Schwartz families.

In addition to the Purple Hearts, Team Excellence Awards, Medals of Merit and Medals of Valor were awarded to various employees most often for their service during the fire.
Team Excellence awards were given to Stacey Buford, Michele Nelson, Jimmy Salazar, Robert Steinbeck, Leonard Woodson, Smokey Kurtz and Kellie Wasko. These employees were recognized for developing a training video.

In recognition for their assistance directing traffic and evacuating children to Sugar City Medals of Merit were presented to Dale Aragon, Warner Boatwright, Kevin Bosley, John Chavez, Jerry Cross, Jerry Curtis, Hank Debelak, Timothy Hartbauer, Daniel Houston, Dennis Huff, John Holbrooks, James Holdren, George Nelson, Aaron Pearson, Marigene Penny, Terry Shaw, David Velasquez, Steve Vigil, Andrew Walter and Kellie Wasko.

Medal of Valor recipients included James Buford, Jerry Fisher, Stan Pickerill, John Reitan, Mark Smith, Sean Wallace, Leonard Weiss and Daryl Geringer. These men were recognized for risking their own lives to help fight the fire.

Two employees of AVCF also lost their homes in the fire. DOC personnel have raised $22,819.58 for donations to the four families affected by the fire, and inmates have donated $870.50 to the four families. It was also announced money has been donated by parolees but not yet totaled.

Personnel were also praised for their dedication in continuing to prepare for AVCF’s fourth American Correctional Association Accreditation that took place less than two weeks following the fire. The accreditation process assists the department in achieving consistent operations which are based on sound policy and best-practice procedures.