Trooper given Medal of Valor
Rocky Mountain News
Published February 27, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
Photo by Dennis Schreder / The Rocky
Teresa and Doug Templeton, parents of state Trooper Zachary Templeton, who was killed Oct. 11 when struck by a pickup on Interstate 76 while assisting a motorist, fight back tears as Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, presents them an honorary flag and congressional citation recognizing the heroism and service of their son at ceremonies Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Denver West Village.
Zachary Templeton
Photo by Dennis Schreder / The Rocky
Trooper Jay Hemphill is presented the state partrol's Medal of Valor for his actions July 16 at the state Capitol, when an armed man threatened the governor. Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien applauds the trooper.
The state trooper who shot and killed an armed gunman at the State Capitol last summer today received the State Patrol Medal of Valor, its highest award.
Trooper Jay Hemphill became the 41st trooper to receive the honor.
"We will never know what would have happened had it not been for Trooper Hemphill that day," said Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.
On July 17, a tuxedo-clad Aaron Snyder appeared outside Gov. Bill Ritter's office armed with a gun in his pants pocket.
Hemphill drew his gun and told Snyder to stop. When he didn't, Hemphill shot him.
Hemphill is a 13-year veteran of the Colorado State Patrol.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
February 26, 2008
9:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Theoldguy writes:
Jay Hemphill did exactly what he was supposed to do. That's all you can ask for. Live long and prosper Trooper Hemphill.
February 27, 2008
8:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
gs writes:
Yes I agree, good job. And, couple the above with an almost 50% drop in the fatality rate that was reported last week (?) the Patrol needs to be commended.
I recommend the Patrol be given the responsiblity to police all the freeways. Remember the video of the woman driving while asleep on I-25? The Patrol could not pull her over quicker because of jurisdiction problems