SAFFORD — Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred and his department was praised for their efforts to evacuate residents in the path of July’s Watch fire.
The Watch fire burned more than 2,000 acres, destroyed 21 homes and 13 other structures, and left 73 people homeless on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
“The first agency that showed up was Graham County. Sheriff Allred and his deputies came to our assistance immediately during the evacuations, and were very helpful in what we needed. We’re a very small department, and to have Graham County come and help us was amazing,” said San Carlos Apache Police Lt. Wendsler Nosey Jr.
Nosey presented challenge coins — both thank you and life saving — to Allred and the deputies who assisted: Eli Ellison, Ed Acres, Toby Shaw, Rose Lacey and Justin Baughman.
Nosey said GCSO is the only agency other than the San Carlos Apache Police Department to receive the life-saving coins.
“We appreciate the partnership you guys have built with the tribe and helping each other out. It means a whole lot,” said Graham County Supervisor John Howard.
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