STERLING, Colo.  -- Many law enforcement officers might call responding to a vehicle accident part of the job. On this call, in December 2023, the call of duty included saving lives.

On January 23, 2024, Sheriff Powell awarded Deputy DelRay Mayhew the Sheriff's Commendation Award for his actions on December 20, 2023 during a truck crash on Interstate-76 at milepost 141 near the Proctor exit.
 
Deputy Mayhew was the first emergency responder on scene. He observed the driver, who was severely burned, lying on the ground outside of the truck. The truck was fully engulfed in fire.
 
Deputy Mayhew recognized the dangers associated with situation, and quickly moved the driver and bystanders to the opposite side of the median and away from the burning truck. Almost immediately after moving everyone away, a large explosion occurred at the truck.
 
While most bystanders on scene ran when the explosion occurred, Deputy Mayhew sheltered the driver from the immense amount of heat put off by the fire, until medical personnel could arrive and provide further care.
 
If not for Deputy Mayhew's quick thinking, serious injuries would have occurred to everyone standing near the truck.