(Shelby Co) Shelby County Sheriff Neil Gross, Chief Deputy Cody Eckles, Sgt. Jacob Hoss and Deputy Bill McDaniel were honored today (Monday) with the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor.
Commissioner Stephan Bayens said the origin of this award lies with five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who enlisted and served together as sailors in the Navy in World War II.
Bayens said the four members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for a call they responded to on July 12, 2021, when a suicidal subject barricaded himself inside of a home in Elk Horn.
However, a short time later, black smoke began to billow from the north side of the residence, flames began to engulf the home and the negotiators lost all contact with the occupant.
Bayens said, “In that moment, a decision had to be made. The threat of ambush was real, ammunition appeared to be cooking off inside and the prospect the house may explode was palpable.”
Bayens said the recipients of the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor are selected by a committee within the First Responder community. These committee members devote valuable time and effort to review each and every nomination. Nominees must meet strict guidelines.
