ST. GEORGE — In a City Council meeting filled with local ranchers, high school student mountain bikers, Bureau of Land Management employees and those seeking to raise awareness on resources for homeless youth, everyone stopped what they were doing when Riko entered the room.
Hurricane City Police Chief Lynn Excell presented Medals of Valor to two Hurricane patrolmen, a deputy from the Washington County Sheriff”s Office and the K-9 officer who was almost killed for protecting them.
Councilman Dave Sanders told the story of a Hurricane Valley family rescued from a potentially life-threatening situation less than two months ago. Four people were performing their daily routines when an unknown person entered their home acting erratically.
Hurricane City patrol officers Eric DeMille, Jordan Bogenhagen and K-9 officer Riko, along with Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Jose Rosales, confronted the individual who was armed with a knife.
As previously reported in St. George News, the confrontation ended when the suspect was fatally shot. No residents were injured, but Riko left the scene in an ambulance with severe bleeding from wounds suffered while preventing a similar attack on his fellow officers.
He would need a blood transfusion from St. George Police K-9 officer Enzo, a life flight to Las Vegas, emergency surgery and weeks of recovery, but he was the most alert officer in the city council meeting when receiving adoration from city leaders.
“I want you to know, that night, Riko did exactly what he was trained to do,” Chief Excell told the audience. “To protect the officers, to protect the public. And we as police officers could not do our jobs without great officers like this, and great handlers that are dedicated, trained and do what they need to do to protect the public.”
In a news release issued shortly after the incident, DeMille told the story of his decision as Riko’s partner to send his partner into the fray.
“I sent Riko knowing the suspect had a knife, but knowing Riko was the only thing that would slow the male down to prevent another officer from being hurt,” DeMille said. “Riko did his job and did not hesitate to do it. I was also scared that Riko was not going to make it, but I know that Riko would do it again if he were in the same situation.”
Sgt. Kurt Yates noted Bogenhagen reacted with professionalism and courage despite being one of the newest officers on the force.
“I couldn’t be more impressed,” Yates said. “It took a lot of courage and strength that night to do what he did and we’d like to present this award to him tonight.”
Hurricane Mayor Nanette Billings presented Deputy Rosales with a letter of recognition while thanking him for his service to Washington County.
“This was a joint effort, so thank you,” she said.
All law enforcement officers involved in the incident have since returned to duty, even Riko. DeMille told the council that the K-9 received clearance from the veterinarian to return to work a few weeks ago. And both DeMille and Riko recently re-certified their K-9 officer training.
Riko’s family members, DeMille’s wife and children, were in the room for the occasion with many other Hurricane police and WSCO deputies. Although four officers were being honored for their courage, everyone wanted pictures with Riko.
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