On March 12, 2018 the IACP Indian Country Law Enforcement Section along with FirstNet, Built with AT&T honored Officer Michael Carlow and Officer Jonnie Cordell of the Crow Creek Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services as Officers of the Year. Officer Carlow and Officer Cordell were nominated by their Chief of Police Scott Shields.

Traditional quilt and eagle feather presentation: (L to R) Tom Woolworth, Supervisory Special Agent, ret., BIA OJS, Award Committee Member; Michael Carlow, Officer, Crow Creek Agency, BIA OJS; Jonnie Cordell, Officer, Crow Creek Agency, BIA OJS; Jim Molash, Chief, ret. BIA OJS, Award Member

Officer Carlow and Officer Cordell work on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation, a 126,109 acre community located in Central South Dakota, with approximately 5,500 enrolled tribal members and an approximate population of 3,500. Officer Carlow has served Indian Country for six years through his work with the Pine Ridge Tribal Police and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Officer Cordell has served Indian Country for 15 years through his work with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police and Bureau of Indian Affairs.

On December 15, 2016, Officer Carlow and Officer Cordell exhibited exceptional bravery and professionalism in responding to a call from a father who was reporting his son was threatening suicide. While in route the father called back and requested the officers to make entry into the residence.

Upon arrival, the officers made contact with the reported male who was inside the home sitting on the living room couch with a rifle pointed at his chin and thumb on the trigger. The officers began their assessment of the situation and immediately requested emergency backup. The male made repeated threats of killing himself or having the officers kill him.

After a short standoff with law enforcement, the officers were able to deescalate the situation and talk the male out of committing suicide and convince him to place the gun down on his own. The officers were able to get the male into custody and referred on for medical treatment.

Award Presentation with Sponsor and Leadership: (left to right) Carrie Johnson, Director of Strategy and Policy, Indian Affairs Specialist, FirstNet Built with AT&T; Jonnie Cordell, Officer, Crow Creek Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services (BIA OJS); Michael Carlow, Officer Crow Creek Agency, BIA OJS; Bill Denke, Chief of Police, Sycuan Tribal Police Department, IACP Indian Country Section Chairman; Charles Addington, Director, BIA OJS.

Officer Carlow and Officer Cordell displayed empathy and outstanding police procedure and training by immediately placing themselves in harm’s way to provide emergency care in a critical situation. It is with great respect for Officer Carlow and Officer Cordell that the Indian Country Law Enforcement Section of the IACP presents this award.

"The IACP is proud to honor law enforcement officers who devote themselves to public safety and wellbeing," said IACP President Louis M. Dekmar. "On behalf of the entire association, I want to congratulate Officer Michael Carlow and Officer Jonnie Cordell for their bravery, swift action, and commitment to service."

“FirstNet, Built with AT&T, was honored to sponsor the IACP Indian Country Officer of the Year Award Banquet and recognize Officer Michael Carlow and Officer Jonnie Cordell for their service and commitment to their community,” said Carrie Johnson, Director of Strategy and Policy, Indian Affairs Specialist, FirstNet, Built with AT&T. “We value our relationship with the IACP Indian Country Section and look forward to working collaboratively with the Section to help ensure FirstNet meets the needs of tribal and BIA law enforcement agencies and officers.”