Coeur d'Alene police officer honored for heroism
Beach
BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador presented the Idaho Medal of Honor to four law enforcement officers Tuesday, recognizing their extraordinary acts of courage in going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives while risking their own.
“These officers represent everything we admire about Idaho law enforcement — courage under fire, selfless service and an unwavering commitment to protecting their community,” said Attorney General Labrador, as chairman of the Idaho Medal of Honor Commission.
The ceremony at the Idaho State Capitol honored Sgt. Taylor Beach of Coeur d'Alene Police, Officer Brian Quiterio of Kimberly-Hansen Police and Garden City Police officers Sergeant Leon Dennis and Corporal Sikko Barghoorn.
Beach saved a wounded officer's life during a February 2018 shooting incident, "returning fire at an armed suspect before exposing herself to gunfire to extract her seriously injured colleague and transport him to the hospital for life-saving treatment," a press release said.
Quiterio rescued a suicidal individual from the Snake River Canyon edge Nov. 24, 2024, positioning himself mere inches from a 350-foot drop while the combative subject regained consciousness. Quiterio refused to leave the dangerous position until the person was secured and safe.
Dennis and Barghoorn entered a residence with an active shooter Aug. 9, 2023, to rescue an innocent person trapped inside. The officers came under immediate gunfire upon entry but continued toward the threat until they located and evacuated the victim safely.
Since 2004, more than 85 Idaho law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel have received the Idaho Medal of Honor for acts of exceptional courage that distinguished them above their peers, the release said.
"When lives hung in the balance, they didn't hesitate to charge toward the danger and risk their own lives to save people they'd never met. This is the heroism that defines our men and women in blue, and Idaho is safer because of officers like them," Labrador said.