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Medals gilt with tears

97 Jeffco law officers hailed for actions in Bailey school siege

James B. Meadow, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 21, 2006 at midnight

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JEFFERSON COUNTY - Fifty-four days after the unthinkable shook a small town to its soul, the men and women who had kept a bad situation from getting worse were honored- but remained saddened by the absence of someone they could not save.

"It's truly an honor to receive this award," said deputy sheriff Mike DeNuzzi, fingering the gleaming gilded Medal of Valor that hung from his neck with a red, white and blue ribbon.

"But I can say without hesitation, that there was one true hero that day, and that was Emily Keyes."

DeNuzzi was one of 97 Jefferson County law enforcement officers to receive commendations during Monday's Platte Canyon Recognition Ceremony, held at D'Evelyn High School. The event was designed to honor those who had gone beyond the call of duty at Platte Canyon High School on Sept. 27, when a lone gunman named Duane Morrison held seven teenage girls hostage, murdering Keyes. Morrison then turned the gun on himself as police shot him.

Shortly before the afternoon event began, John-Michael and Ellen Keyes, the parents of the slain student, were greeted by several officers, including Jeffco Sheriff Ted Mink and Park County Sheriff Fred Weggener.

"I'm just in awe right now," said Ellen Keyes, unable to offer up any other comment.

An hour later, after the officers had received one of four Jeffco Sheriff Department awards, Keyes would say softly, "It's important to be here. These are real people behind the uniforms - it's important to put faces to them. It's all about acknowledging what they did and honoring them. I admire and respect all these people."

Prior to the event, Weggener said: "Without a doubt, we want to pay our debt of gratitude to the Jeffco sheriff's office and the men and women who helped us in our hour of need.

"I'm forever grateful. There's no way you can ever say 'thank you' enough."

Following other brief thank-yous by Park County Superintendent of Schools James Walpole and Platte Canyon Principal Bryan Krause, Mink began presenting the awards: 24 Sheriff's Citations, 47 Sheriff's Commendations, 11 Medals for Distinguished Service and 15 Medals for Valor, the highest honor offered by his department.

"No, I can't remember ever giving out as many (Medals for Valor) at one ceremony," said Mink, insisting, however, that he felt the totals were justified.

"These men and women went above and beyond the call of duty. They put themselves in harm's way with no questions asked and no concerns for their own safety. They went in and responded, and I'm proud of them all."

Mink took pains to cite the "intensity, concern, efficiency, professionalism and focus" of the law enforcement people who served that day. He also pointed out that their actions saved lives.

"Yes, Emily's loss is heartbreaking," he said to the audience. "But do not allow it to diminish in your minds the bravery of all these men and women that day."

As Mink called the officers to the stage, the mood in the auditorium was more akin to the solemnity of a funeral than to celebration. But if restraint was one of the afternoon's themes, mourning was not.

Ellen Keyes watched in silence, face etched with sadness and dignity, then clapped enthusiastically when all the awards were given and the recipients turned to face the audience. Her stoicism never crumbled, not even when Weggener said, "John-Michael, Ellen, Emily will be with me forever."

His voice quavering, Weggener revealed that he has a pocket angel with Emily's name on it, "and I will keep it always."

Mink's closing remarks were no less touching. "While I did not know Emily personally," he said, "I think I knew her spirit."

To capture that spirit, Mink quoted John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church: Do all the good you can/ By all the means you can/ In all the ways you can/ In all the places you can/ At all the times you can/ To all the people you can/ As long as ever you can.

It was a room filled with 97 heroes, all of them silently wishing the 98th had been there with them.