2003 Second Quarter Winners — Patrol

Winner Second Quarter Patrol 2003
Region 21 Deputy Jim Bauerly &
K9 Sipo Woodbury County Sheriff's Department, Iowa

On April 28th, 2003 at 0650 hours Deputy Jim Bauerly of the Woodbury County Sheriffs Otflce was contacted at home. The Plymouth County Sheriffs Office needed his assistance in searching for a suspect who fled the scene of a stolen vehicle.

Earlier that morning around 0130 hours, the suspect fled the stolen vehicle after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit. He then escaped into a wooded area. Through the remainder of the early morning hours, the Plymouth County deputes maintained the perimeter near daybreak, one deputy saw a person dressed in black cross an open field and disappear into a ravine.

Thinking they could apprehend the suspect, the Plymouth County deputies moved in, but could not locate him. In doing so they destroyed any chance Deputy Bauerly had of trailing the suspect. Deputy Bauerly and K-9 Sipo entered the search an hour layer and started searching off lead.

Deputy Bauerly proceeded with the search using a zigzag pattern, searching 300 yards in each direction. Approximately a quarter of a mile east of where the search began. K9 Sipo indicated that he had caught scent of something. In another wooded ravine, Sipo encountered the suspect and apprehended him. Bauerly yelled words of encouragement to Sipo and moved towards them. When Bauerly came within 15 feet of the suspect, the suspect aimed a 22-magnun revolver at Bauerly. K9 Sipo was still hanging onto the suspect as Bauerly ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect did not obey the commands but instead switched his aim from Bauerly to Sipo. Fearing Sipo would be shot, Bauerly yelled his commands louder. The suspect moved his aim back to Sauerly who then fired his own weapon four times, striking the suspect twice. Sipo maintained his hold throughout the shooting.

The suspect was ordered to the ground and Sipo was removed once he was ready to he handcuffed. The suspect was flown by helicopter to the hospital. He remained there for 8 days, as he recovered from gunshot wounds to the arm and the abdomen.

The suspect is a resident of Nebraska and had an extensive criminal history. Sgt. Jeff Tebrink, who assisted Bauerly, said several times over the course of the next few hours that he was glad Sipo found the suspect before officers got close to the suspect.

In an interview at the hospital, the suspect stated that he had intended to shoot Sipo. Sipo not only saved Bauerlys life, but Bauerly may have also saved Sipo's life with the timing of his commands and actions. This is a perfect example of the loyalty and teamwork that should be between a deputy and his partner.

With all the danger happening around him, Sipo probably never realized that his actions were heroic. He was simply doing what he had trained for hundreds of times. The courage demonstrated by Sipo that day was equal to, if not more than any person could have shown in such a situation. This truly makes him a hero.