Training of this type could be life saving, not to mention the department requires it as part of your qualification to carry a firearm.


SAR
Several Posse members helped in the search for a Jack Pot man who went missing the first week of September west of Brown's Bench, about thirty miles southwest of town.  He was assumed missing after his abandoned van was found high-centered on a jeep trail.  No other traces of this individual were found after an extensive three-day search along reasonable exit routes.

Search and Rescue (SAR) has been busy defining skill levels and training guidelines that will eventually define the core requirements for Elko County Sheriff's Posse SAR personnel.  Once in place, the program will provide a continuity of quality training that will shape first class search and rescue personnel.  The November SAR meeting (Nov. 15th) will begin this program with an equipment check.

New
As you all know, the old hospital is designated for destruction, this will begin right away.  We are not sure at this point, what will happen with our trailers and us, but contingency plans are being made.  Demolitionists may take a year to completely remove the building.

You may have noticed a large silver trailer sitting in our lot.  I came to us as a freebee from the Bureau of Land Management to be used as we see fit.  Plans, right now, are to fashion it into a mobile command post for SAR.



Our next meeting is scheduled at the Annex on November 1, beginning at 18:00.  Please dress in gym clothing because Lt. Ekburg will instruct in basic self-defense and escape maneuvers after the business meeting.

It feels good to be back on paper after a short gap in our expected monthly publication.  Considerable has happened in the Posse realm since we last visited; too much in fact to fit all on this page.

Hundreds upon hundreds of-off time, vacation and family hours were contributed by Posse members to securing the Elko County Fair and horse races over a fifteen-day period proceeding and including Labor Day.  It was, and has always been, an awesome feat!

Loose ends:
Our missing geologist on Lewis Mountain was found by searchers in the spring buried in deep snow and several hundred yards northeast of his vehicle.  No one is clear how he became buried, but all agrees he succumbed to asphyxiation soon after.

Long-time Posse member Sergeant Henry Kichelman (p-11) left the Posse to take up residence in southwest Colorado; Henry joined the Posse soon after it inception.

Ron Weeks (P-47) retired from the Posse to live with his family in Mississippi, in September.

We have created a record of sorts; for all the years the Posse has been performing County Fair security, this is the first year missed by our Captain, Carl Peavey (let's hope it doesn't become a habit).

Lt. and Sgt. Youngs continue to contribute significant time and effort keeping our firearm skills high and up to date.  Keep in mind, no Posse member may carry a firearm while on duty without departmental endorsement, i.e., firearms qualification.

The steaks were great and the company was even better at the September meeting/picnic, at the park.  Chez Gary transformed ordinary steaks into gastronomical delectations.

Training
October 16th Deputy Carpenter provided attending Posse members with the next episode of tactical training; weapon retention.  He split the morning between classroom work and practical exercises.