Five Victorville Station deputies honored with County Sheriff's Lifesaving Awards

Congratulations to Corporal Daniel Maddox and Deputies Taylor Wetzel, Eshton Smith, Omar Romero-Rios, and Brandon Moreland on receiving the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Lifesaving Award.

According to the Department: "On August 25, 2020, the deputies responded to a disturbance call in Victorville.

"When Wetzel arrived, he heard yelling, and the person inside refused to open the door. When Wetzel got into the home, he was met by a man covered in blood holding a large knife, yelling for Wetzel to kill him. Wetzel held him at gunpoint, and Smith provided less-lethal cover with the less-lethal shotgun. The man began stabbing himself in the neck and chest while yelling for Wetzel to shoot him.

"Smith deployed the less lethal shotgun and prevented the man from further stabbing himself. Moreland deployed the sting ball grenade, and Maddox used the ballistic shield to pin the man so the deputies could get the knife away from him and take him into custody.

"While searching the home, the deputies found a victim suffering from multiple stab wounds lying on the floor. Wetzel, Smith, and Romero-Rios rendered medical aid until medical services arrived and airlifted him to a trauma center. When the victim was being prepared for transport, he thanked the deputies for coming when they did. He is alive today because of the deputies' bravery and swift actions."

Well done, and thank you again for your quick thinking in a time of extreme danger. We appreciate all you do for the community!