Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union (RMLEFCU) has served law enforcement professionals and their families since 1938. Over the years, RMLEFCU has grown to include a membership of more than 14,000 members and assets nearing $300 million.
Last month, we presented our fourth annual Unparalleled Community Impact Awards to Denver County, Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, and the city of Aurora to honor law enforcement officers of each respective area who demonstrated consistent outstanding community service.
Let’s take a closer look at our incredible 2021 winners!
Arapahoe County
Lieutenant Kevin Heaton
Lieutenant Heaton has worked at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office for 32 years and helps lead the Support Services Bureau. While Kevin is an amazing leader at the Sheriff’s Office, for years he has also dedicated himself to Special Olympics Colorado. He has taken an active role over the years, donating several hundred hours as the Regional Director for Arapahoe County for annual events such as the Polar Plunge, Torch Run, Tip a Cop, and Plane Pull. This year, Kevin has secured two Ford F-150’s as a donation from Ford Motor Company and is hoping to double 2020’s raffle donations and reach $400,000 for The Special Olympics. Kevin has received two State Director Awards for all his efforts with Special Olympics.
Robert Stef, Support Services Bureau Chief, says, “Kevin one of the most selfless and humble individuals I have ever met. He works feverishly for his passion, Special Olympics Colorado, and still gives 110% every day to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.”
Deputy Keli Hoffman
Deputy Hoffmann recently wrote a book about her grief journey after losing her brother to suicide. Her book helps others experiencing the grief of losing someone close to them to suicide. She chose to donate all the proceeds from the sales of her book to the family of Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Sergeant Nate Kyelberg, who was recently released from the hospital after experiencing a long and severe bout with COVID-19. Deputy Hoffmann raised more than $2,000 for Nate and his family.
Her colleagues say, “The character and compassion demonstrated during these two significant events is typical of how Deputy Hoffmann lives her life every day. Deputy Hoffmann is a hardworking, experienced, versatile, dedicated, and knowledgeable employee for the ACSO.”
City of Aurora
Officer Michelle Hanley
Officer Hanley’s team says, “Michelle is a phenomenal leader and an amazing teacher. She is more than a police officer, she is an amazing person with the greatest attributes; she is brave, humble, caring, and wise. We all look up to her and aspire to be even half of a police officer she is.”
Officer Hanley is a Police Area Representative (PAR) officer at the Town Center at Aurora (Aurora Mall). According to her colleagues, “She always goes above and beyond. She takes every call for service in a professional, but caring manner.” Officer Hanley has proudly served the City of Aurora for more than 20 years, and she shows no signs of slowing down. As time has gone on and policing has changed, she continues to make positive impacts on the community.
Detective Evander Brim
Detective Brim began his work in Aurora’s special operation unit. He helped the department win a national School Resource Officer (SRO) Award. His superior detective said, “When I needed backup, he was always available and went into uniform to help. He was loved and needed by all, and the kids at the schools were especially grateful to him in the aftermath of the tragedy at Columbine. I have been retired 10 years after 30+ years of service, not including government. I have never met a person with greater integrity and a passion for his job.”
Denver County
Sergeant Eric Givens
Sergeant Givens is known for consistently going above and beyond in his duties and for his community. He takes pride in reaching out to all communities attempting to enlist individuals from all walks of life to join the law enforcement field.
He spends his personal time attending community events, gatherings, and festivals as a volunteer to assist with safety and security. He loves working with the youth of all neighborhoods and can be found sharing words of wisdom and advice upon meeting them.
His peers say, “He has been the leader of the Denver Sheriff Department (DSD) who keeps us connected to one of the most vulnerable populations in our City; veterans who are experiencing homelessness. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Sgt. Givens has a personal commitment to take care of those who sacrificed so much for our nation. Several times a year, he gathers a group of DSD employees to volunteer their time at the Homeless Veteran Outreach to pass out meals and food boxes at the Soldiers Angel events.”
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Officers Who Restored the Courage Garden and Gazebo
Several members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office went above and beyond to restore the Courage Garden and Gazebo, which was tragically destroyed when someone set fire to it last October. The Garden and Gazebo were both built to honor victims of violent crime, and stood as a place for many to pay their respects to fallen heroes and to provide comfort to other victims of violent crime.
According to nominating colleague, Courtney Driscoll, “JCSO personnel worked extensively on this project which entailed construction of a retaining wall that surrounds the gazebo. This project could not have been completed without the generosity of each volunteer. Without their dedication, the re-build project of the JCSO Courage Garden and Gazebo would not have been a success.”
A big round of applause to each of these Jefferson Country officers who restored such a special, peaceful place for their community:
· Commander Ron Leonard
· Sergeant Dan Sittner
· Commander Kevin Bost
· Commander Ian Thompson
· Andy Tuthill, Radio Shop Technician
· Grant Mason, Manager, Detention Support Director Inmate Services
· Brad Pfenninger
Final Thoughts
Eighty-three years have passed by since we embarked on our mission to deliver the best of the best financial services to Denver law enforcement and their families. As each year passes, we grow increasingly more proud of our talented, brave, compassionate, and hard-working officers. Having the opportunity to share their amazing stories of courage and altruism with the communities they serve is an incredible honor.
Do you have someone you’d like to nominate for next year?
Keep an eye out for our next nomination cycle, which will begin in spring 2022.