Chaffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Honored by United States Attorney for the District of Colorado with the Inaugural Hometown Hero Award

DENVER - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado is proud to announce the Deputy Donnie Smith of the Chaffee County Sheriff's Department has been awarded the inaugural Hometown Hero Award sponsored by the Department of Justice in honor of America's 250^th birthday.

In a ceremony today, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly and Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich awarded Deputy Smith the Hometown Hero Award. Deputy Smith, who has worked in law enforcement since 2021, is known for his heroic actions while on duty. In November 2022, Deputy Smith rescued a woman who fell approximately 500 feet down a large ice field on Mount Yale. Deputy Smith was helicoptered to the apex above the severely injured woman, tended to her injuries, and stayed with her until daylight when she could be airlifted to the hospital. Deputy Smith's actions not only saved this woman's life but also helped save her feet which were severely frostbitten.

In October 2024, late at night and after a full day of patrol, Deputy Smith was helicoptered to the top of La Plata Peak to rescue a man who had fallen while hiking and sustained severe injuries and was unable to hike down. Because of the late hour, the helicopter was unable to rescue the injured hiker and again Deputy Smith stayed the night with the man in freezing temperatures above 13,000 feet until he could be airlifted at daybreak. These actions saved the hiker's life.

Deputy Smith's bravery has also extended into the face of other dangers, including an incident in 2025 when he continued to deploy tear gas into a building while a suspect fired multiple shots at him. Deputy Smith created a medical program to teach agency staff tactical medicine including how to treat bullet wounds in the field. He also serves as a Tactical Medical Party on the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office tactical team and has worked as a paramedic and as a ski patroller. On his days off, Deputy Smith is a volunteer for the Chaffee County Search and Rescue team.

"Today we get to honor one of our absolute best," said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. "The District of Colorado is proud to honor Deputy Smith for his exceptional work and service to his fellow Coloradans. He is an extraordinary example of what a law enforcement officer can be, and I am grateful for his continued service."

"When I think of the word hero, I immediately picture Deputy Smith," said Chaffee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich. "Whenever a job is too difficult for the rest of us, Deputy Smith steps in to accomplish the mission. Donnie is a hero for the heroes."

The Hometown Hero Award was created in honor of the 250^th birthday of the United States of America. The Department of Justice is proud to honor law enforcement across the country with recognition of the extraordinary service to their fellow citizens.