(620)782-3322                                                                   June 09, 2008 Issue                                                                                       911

Ex-deputy honored 32 years later

BY HURST LAVIANA

The Wichita Eagle

Cowley County sheriff's Deputy Bill Stroud was dispatched to an accident on U.S. 160 about five miles east of Winfield on March 9, 1975.

When he arrived, he found a car that had skidded off the slushy highway before sinking into a farm pond about 20 feet from the bank. Two children and three adults were standing on the roof, which was eight inches underwater.

"When I seen those two kids, something clicked," Stroud said Friday. "There were two kids and three other people in the car that needed help. That's all I saw. People who needed help."

More than 32 years after rescuing those people, Stroud was honored Friday with a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. He also was made an honorary police chief in the city of Udall, where he was working as town marshal when the accident occurred.

Both awards were presented at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis

Campus, where Stroud has been staying as he enters the final stages of terminal cancer. About two dozen friends, relatives and law enforcement officers attended the ceremony.

Stroud's daughter-in-law, Kim Stroud, said she began looking for ways to honor him this year after she came across a Wichita Eagle article that detailed the rescue.

"My father-in-law had been diagnosed with cancer, and time was not on our side," she said.

The newspaper account said the car skidded off U.S. 160, went down a steep embankment, crashed through a barbed-wire fence and sank in the middle of the pond.

One of the men in the car swam for help, the article said, while the other five occupants, including a 2-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, climbed out a rear door and waited on the roof for help.

Stroud, who made three trips into the pond that day, was later treated for exposure and exhaustion at a hospital in Winfield. While there, he said, the accident victims stopped by his room to say thank you.

"To a police officer, that's two mighty big words," he said.

Stroud, 66, eventually left law enforcement to pursue a career at Boeing. He was nearly speechless when presented the awards.

"I'll be dogged," he said as three television cameras recorded the event. "Jiminy Christmas.... It's unbelievable."

RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS

If you have an interest in a law enforcement career, the Udall Police Department is a great place to start.   Reserves have the opportunity to be trained in all aspects of patrol, traffic, domestic disturbances, etc, and will be allowed to attend outside training with full-time officers if interested.  Reserves will also be considered for promotions for all part-time paid, and full-time position before hiring outside of the agency.

MINIMUM Requirements.
Must be at least 21 years of age, US citizen, valid Kansas drivers license, no felony convictions, good work history, high school diploma, GED, or higher.  Applicants may be required to take polygraph and drug screen, and may required to attend oral review board consisting of officers and pass, physical/agility.

Available shifts:
Saturday DAY, Sunday DAY, Sunday NIGHT, Monday NIGHT, and some Monday-Friday DAYS, when Full-time officers are training, sick, or on vacation.  A reserve or part-time will not be required to cover all the above shifts.

Submit your application on-line at the link below 
ON-LINE APPLICATION FORM



Chief John Adams for more information
(620)782-3322 - policechief@cityofudall.com