MONTE VISTA – Monte Vista Police Department Interim Chief Tyler Harford promoted Robert Pino and Anthony Chacon to sergeant during Thursday’s, May 1, city council meeting. 

“Corporal Pino and Officer Anthony Chacon have recently been promoted to sergeants. Combined they have over 23 years of law enforcement experience. They are both great assets to the department and we look forward to working with them.” 

Kody Smith was appointed as city’s new Code Enforcement Officer at the meeting. Harford swore in the trio of officers. 

“He is a former Wyoming deputy. He has seven years of experience in the jail and patrol. Please welcome Kody to our department. We look forward to working with him,” Harford said.  

The council also recognized Police Week, May 11-17, Mental Health Awareness Week, May12-18, Clerk’s Week, May 4-10, Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9, and Public Works Week, May 18-24, with proclamations. 

A Certificate of Honor was given to Mackenzie Wolf-Montgomery by Sgt. Pino, who stated that “the Certificate of Honor is granted to a private citizen for a notable act of heroism that involves the risk of one’s life with an understanding of that risk. I Sgt. Robert Pino wish to recommend Mackenzie Wolf-Montgomery for this esteemed certificate based on a recent event.”  

Pino said that on Jan. 16, he was alerted by dispatch to proceed to First and Bronk streets regarding a small child wandering alone in the street. Pino said he was greeted by Wolf-Montgomery who stated that she had found the child and picked him up and placed her jacket around him as he appeared to be cold. 

Pino stated that Wolf-Mongomery stated that she had turned down Bronk Street because she saw the child in the middle of the road. Pino stated that the child seemed to be in good health and high spirits, and he invited the child to sit in his patrol car, the child accepted and then was given a marker by Pino to create drawings on his white board that he had in his patrol car. 

Pino stated that after a search and speaking with neighbors they located the child’s parents who were understandably concerned. 

“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mackenzie for her exceptional concern and support in this situation. Her caring compassion played a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of a child and without her intervention the outcome could have been considerably different,” Pino said. 

The next MV City Council Meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.