Modoc Co. Sheriff Poindexter to Receive 2017 Award of Valor

This past week the Sheriff's Office received notification that Sheriff Poindexter has been selected by the California Peace Officers’ Association to receive their 2017 Award of Valor. The award will be presented to Sheriff Poindexter at an Awards Ceremony on October 30, 2017, in Palm Springs, California.

Sheriff Poindexter’s colleagues nominated him for this prestigious award for his heroic actions on October 19, 2016, a very tragic day in Modoc County Sheriff’s Office history. As Sheriff Poindexter responded to back Deputy Hopkins at a ranch just outside Alturas, Sheriff Poindexter was met with gunfire. The suspect fired several rounds that struck his patrol vehicle numerous times. While being fired upon, Sheriff Poindexter returned fire and wounded the suspect, which allowed for the suspect to be taken into custody. If not for Sheriff Poindexter’s courageous actions that day, many more law enforcement officers could have been injured or killed.

As we approach the anniversary date of Deputy Hopkins passing, we here at the Sheriff's Office are still trying to recover. I don't believe that there is a day that goes by where we don't think about Jack. The many photos, plaques, and tributes displayed in an about our office serve as a constant reminder as to how truly dangerous this job can be at times. Those very same memorials also remind us why we do this job. Just like Deputy Hopkins, we truly enjoy serving and protecting our community. Sheriff Poindexter could not be a better example of those sentiments.

Congratulations, Sheriff Poindexter and thank you for your continued service to our community.

Tex Dowdy, Undersheriff