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Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office The Detail Newsletter - MAY 2021

DEPUTY GOES BALD TO SUPPORT 8-YEAR-OLD CANCER SURVIVOR

"I have two daughters and I couldn't imagine either one of them going through something like this. It just pulls at my heartstrings," says School Resource Officer Dan Tipton.

The story began in late March, when Deputy Dan Tipton was asked by a parent how to obtain a permit for Grey's parade, an event put on by students at Arapahoe High School to raise money for 8-year-old Grey Gionnotti, who is battling cancer.

Deputy Tipton knew right away he wanted to do more than just help with a permit. So he rallied a group of deputies and firefighters to escort the parade through the streets of Littleton in hopes of making the day extra special for Grey and her family.

Sheriff deputies gather for a photo before the parade begins
Firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue escort Grey's parade

The parade kicked off "Warrior Week," a charity fundraising event put on by students at Arapahoe High, where Tipton works as an SRO. This year, students chose Grey and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to raise money to send her to Disney World.

Posters about Grey and her fight against cancer hang at the high school

Deputy Tipton offered a challenge: if the students could raise $15,000 by April 12 , he'd shave his head in the lunchroom.

Let's just say... he never had a chance.

"Our goal as school resource officers is to be a part of this community and build rapport with the kids. Plus, whatever I can do to help Grey get to Disney World and see those princesses, I'm going to do," says Deputy Tipton.
Arapahoe High student mesmerized by Tipton's decision to go bald

In the end, more than $24,000 was raised and students say they couldn't be more proud to be a Warrior!

Read the story in the Denver Gazette.

ACSO DEPUTY FROM UKRAINE MAKES INTERNATIONAL NEWS

When Olha Orlova immigrated to the U.S. five years ago from a small town outside Kiev, Ukraine she had no idea what to expect in this country. She had just won the green card lottery and within weeks was on a plane to Colorado with her young daughter. Orlova didn't speak a word of English.

Olha and her daughter in the Ukraine
"I moved to the U.S. with nothing -- no money and no family or friends. But I knew life would be better here because in my country, I didn't even have food some days. My family was starving and it was hard to survive," says Orlova.

Orlova learned English quickly and within months got a job at the Summit County Sheriff's Office where she worked for three years as a deputy sheriff.

In September 2020, Orlova took a job with Arapahoe County. She says she couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities given to her.

Deputy Olha Orlova shakes hands with Sheriff Tyler Brown after graduating from the law enforcment academy as a deputy sheriff.
"For the first time in my life I have a savings account. I also own a condo now and I can buy food for me and my daughter. This is truly the American dream," says Deputy Orlova
Orlova's daughter shortly after arriving in the U.S.

At a recent church service one Sunday, Olha met a producer for Voice of America who was so impressed with her story, she wanted to share it with viewers.

"It's not often Ukrainian women want to become cops. When most of them immigrate to the U.S. they want to go to Hollywood and become an actress, " says Svitlana Prystynska, VOA producer, "that's why we loved her story so much."
Deputy Orlova being interviewed by Voice of America

Olha's story recently aired on television in the Ukraine. It's a story of her life in that country, how she landed in Colorado and why she decided to work in law enforcement.

"I love to help people and serve others and I hope more Ukrainian women follow their dreams and goals because this was mine and I love what I do," says Deputy Orlova.

Watch Deputy Orlova's story below. While it is in Ukrainian (and there are no subtitles), you'll get the idea!

Sheriff's Office experiencing a growing demand for concealed handgun permits

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing a higher than normal demand for obtaining concealed handgun permits. On average, we have 50-60 people waiting in line before our doors open each day. The demand exceeds our normal staffing levels and the ability to process the requests in a timely manner.

Presently, we complete 100-120 applications per week. While we work towards a solution to increase our staffing, we just ask you to please exercise patience if you plan to get a permit. Please have all the necessary documents completed and present during your scheduled time to be processed. Click below for more information.

Watch the Channel 7 story below.

Read HERE and about how other large Colorado counties are also seeing a spike in the demand for concealed weapons permits.

POLAR PLUNGE!

The Polar Plunge at the Aurora Reservoir took place on April 17 and was a blast, but boy was it COLD! Our team raised $3,000 for Special Olympics Colorado and the event as a whole raised more than $130,000. It was the largest Polar Plunge to date with the most money raised and we were so honored to be a part of it. And yes, that's Sheriff Tyler Brown darting in the water in his blue shorts!

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

National Drug Take Back Day was a huge success in Arapahoe County. We had three different locations where citizens could drop off their old, expired and unused prescription drugs.

In total, we collected nearly 1,400 pounds! Thank you to all our citizens who safely disposed of their medications.

UPCOMING EVENTS

TEENS! WANT AN EXCELLENT ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER?

Be a part of our Youth Academy

June 1-4, 2021

Watch the bomb squad do their jobs, meet our K-9s, SWAT team, and more! You'll visit our crime lab, go to the shooting range to learn firearm safety and arrest control. Attend the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Youth Academy for teens 14-18 years old. It runs from June 1-4 and it's FREE! Learn more HERE or contact Sgt. Matt Cleveland at 720.874.3746 or mcleveland@arapahoegov.com.

CITIZENS ACADEMY FOR ADULTS

June 1-29, 2021

We still have openings available for our summer adult citizens academy too, but spots will go fast! Experience real-life, hands-on scenarios and get a behind-the-scenes look at the sheriff's office. Watch the video below to learn more.

ST. BALDRICK'S DAY SHAVE-A-THON

June 13, 2021

Be a hero for kids with cancer. Join our team, the ACSO Baldies!

Members of the sheriff's office are shaving their heads on June 13 to raise money for childhood cancer research. Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So we decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.

Come join us at Welcome Home Brewery, located at 19523 Hess Rd., #103 in Parker on June 13 from 1-4pm. You can watch the head shaving event, see our new bomb truck, meet our SWAT team, K-9's, mounted patrol unit and more.

Join our team, the ACSO Baldies or make a small donation. Every dollar counts for the infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting cancer.

LONGFELLOW AND 'SPLASH' JOIN MOUNTED UNIT

We are pleased to introduce the newest members of our Mounted Patrol Unit, Deputy Jacob Longfellow and Splash! Deputy Longfellow works in the jail and has been part of the ACSO family since 2006. Splash is a 16-year-old quarter horse who spent many years working as a pick-up horse in the rodeo. Together, they love to compete in cowboy mounted shooting events. Splash loves sunbathing, cookies, and lots of attention so make sure to say hello to him next time you see our horses! Learn more about our Mounted Unit HERE.

NATIONAL PET, SIBLING DAY

In April, we celebrated both National Pet Day & National Sibling Day. On the left is Nuke, our bomb dog, and his handler, Deputy Tadd Alexander. These two are inseparable and they fight crime together to keep you safe! On the right is Sheriff Tyler Brown and his younger brother, Kyle, who's a deputy sheriff and member of our SWAT team. These two are not just siblings but best friends and exemplify the unbreakable bond shared by brothers.

KUDOS FROM THE COMMUNTY

HONORING OUR DISPATCHERS

April 12-16 was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. We got a chance to show our appreciation to our 911 dispatchers who play at critical role at our agency, are dedicated and committed to the safety of our community and help save lives every day. Thank you to each and every one of you for your service!