AUGUSTA — The National Sheriffs’ Association recently honored three Kennebec County deputies for their bravery and meritorious service.

Cpl. G.J. Neagle earned the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Medal of Valor and Medal of Merit, Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty wrote in a release.

Cpl. K. Scott Mills and Deputy Jeremy Day were awarded the association’s Medal of Valor.

The Medal of Merit is given for contributions to the community and in law enforcement and criminal justice, according to the National Sheriff’s Association website. The Medal of Valor is given for an act of outstanding personal bravery that put the deputy’s life in jeopardy in the line of duty.

The men were honored during a ceremony held April 25 at the Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons.

“These acts are consistent with the Kennebec County sheriff’s philosophy of selfless sacrifice and reflect well upon the law enforcement community,” Liberty wrote. “For a deputy sheriff to receive a national Medal of Valor is significant and speaks well to their courage and dedication to the people of Kennebec County.”

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Mills and Day were recognized for their efforts to save a Chelsea teen after a fatal crash on Route 17 in Windsor on Nov. 15, 2012. A 1989 Buick Reatta, which had been operating at a high speed, sparked a three-car crash that left the Reatta’s driver dead and a teenage girl trapped inside the burning car.

Mills doused the flames with a fire extinguisher as Day tried to pull the girl out the passenger’s side window, but her leg was caught by the damaged dashboard, Liberty said. Day broke the car’s back window in an effort to free the teen.

“While the flames increased in the exterior and interior of the vehicle, Deputy Day continued to attempt to free the young lady’s leg,” Liberty wrote. “Cpl. Mills jumped on the trunk of the vehicle, leaned forward into the car, and assisted in pulling the young lady to safety.”

The teen was taken by LifeFlight to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with critical injuries from which she has since recovered.

Three other people also were taken to the hospital with various injuries.

Day suffered minor cuts and burns to his hands and forearms.

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“During this incident, Deputy Day and Cpl. Mills, with great disregard for their own personal safety, saved the life of the young lady,” Liberty wrote.

Neagle, who joined the agency as a corrections officer as an 18-year-old in 2001, earned a reputation as a dedicated worker who volunteered for overtime and spent hundreds of hours assisting the Sheriff’s Drug Operations Team, Liberty said. He earned numerous citations of merit before transferring to the law enforcement division in 2003. Since then he has “performed flawlessly” as the commander of the Dive Rescue Team, Special Response Team and as a K-9 handler, Liberty said.

“Since this assignment he has earned more than 20 letters of commendation,” Liberty wrote. “Over the past nine years Cpl. Neagle has received a continuous stream of letters of appreciation and commendation for his exceptional compassion and dedication to the citizens of Kennebec County.”

Neagle and his dogs, Gib and, since last summer, Draco, have helped find illegal narcotics and tracked fleeing suspects. Neagle and Draco respond to more than 120 calls per year. Liberty said some of the most important calls have been to find people with mental illness that became disoriented and lost.

One of those searches occurred in the late afternoon of December 2008. A 14-year-old girl with a mental disability ran away from a home in Readfield without shoes and wearing only light clothing. By the time Neagle and Gib arrived, so many people had been out searching for the girl that her track was badly obscured. Gib spent 45 minutes trying to find the right track.

The girl was curled up in a fetal position in the snow, shivering uncontrollably. Her feet were frozen, so Neagle took off his boots and jacket and put them on the girl, and he and Sgt. Christopher Cowan escorted her from the woods.

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“Cpl. Neagle traveled more than a mile in stocking feet through a foot of snow to assist the young lady to safety,” Liberty wrote. “Medical professionals cited that Cpl. Neagle’s acts of kindness and valor aided tremendously in saving her life.”

Liberty said Neagle regularly works more than 50 hours per week, but still finds time to be with his family, which includes his wife and two children.

“He is a dedicated father, husband and son, providing not only material, emotional and nurturing support, but spiritual as well,” Liberty wrote. “Cpl. Neagle is committed to his church and faith. I have complete confidence in his dedication, loyalty and courage.”

Other Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office employees recognized by the National Sheriffs’ Association include:

* Capt. Marsha Alexander, Medal of Merit, for innovative programming related to the Criminogenic Addiction Recovery Academy.

* Sgt. Michael Pion, Law Enforcement Supervisor of the Year, for exceptional commitment and leadership.

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* Detective David Bucknam, Deputy of the Year, for contributions to criminal investigations.

* Sgt. Keith Lachance, Corrections Supervisor of the Year, for exceptional leadership and mentoring.

* Corrections Officer Allen McLean, Corrections Officer of the Year, for performance above and beyond requirement and selfless service.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com


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