The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office used its annual awards banquet to spotlight two moments that underscored both the urgency and longevity of law enforcement work — a life-saving rescue credited with preventing a fatal outcome, and a rare milestone marking six decades of service.
Deputy Preston Schilke was presented with the Life Saving Award for his actions following a motorcycle crash that left Dustin Lorah critically injured and facing a leg amputation. Lorah and his family presented the award themselves during Tuesday’s ceremony.
Schilke said the recognition was meaningful, but the outcome mattered most.
“I would have to say it was truly an honor to receive the award, and I’m extremely happy that I was able to respond to the scene and able to save his life,” he said.
Sheriff Brad Youngman said, “Several days after that crash, I received word from the Trauma Services Department at Owensboro Health, who had been told by the Louisville hospital where Dustin had been flown that the actions taken by Deputy Schilke had undoubtedly saved Dustin’s life.”
Youngman said Schilke’s response reflected recent trauma training provided to deputies and detectives.
“Owensboro Health recently provided every deputy and detective at the sheriff’s office with a trauma kit so they could provide life saving efforts in the field,” he said. “During that training, they focused very heavily on stopping the bleed and putting a tourniquet on, and that’s exactly what Deputy Schilke was able to do at the scene that day.”
The evening also featured a Distinguished Service Award presentation to Deputy Ed Hoskins, recognizing 60 years in law enforcement. The award was presented by Hoskins’ grandson, Deputy Houston Coons — the newest member of the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and currently enrolled in the basic training academy — in a moment that Youngman said was intentionally kept a surprise.
“Deputy Ed Hoskins is a great guy, and we are very fortunate to have him on our staff,” Youngman said. “Sixty years is a long time, and for him to be a law enforcement officer for that length of time is an amazing accomplishment. It makes me feel better knowing he’s here doing the job with his years of experience and the professional way he handles himself.”
Hoskins said he was caught off guard by the recognition.
“I was totally shocked, but honored and humbled to receive the service award,” he said. “It is very meaningful to be recognized for my 60 years of law enforcement service, including my 17 years with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, by the command staff and supervisors. My tenure as a CSO has been an enjoyable and rewarding portion of my career.”
The banquet, held at the MG D. Allen Youngman Readiness Center in Owensboro, recognized deputies, detectives, and administrative staff for achievements throughout 2025. More than 180 awards were presented for leadership, service, and achievement, with the evening concluding with the announcement of five recipients of the Sheriff’s Excellence Award, the highest honor bestowed by the office.
“Our annual awards banquet is my favorite night of the year,” Youngman said. “We are able to come together as a work family and celebrate each other and our accomplishments.”
A complete list of 2025 award recipients appears below:
Award Recipients
Sheriff Brad Youngman
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Major Nick Roby
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Captain Jared Ramsey
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Captain Jeff Payne
Unit Commendation (2)
Sheriff’s Excellence Award
Humanitarian Award
Captain Duane Harper
Unit Commendation (4)
Sheriff’s Excellence Award
Humanitarian Award
Captain Alex Coomes
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Robert Bracelin
Advanced Certification
Unit Commendation (3)
Outstanding Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Chris Lee
Unit Commendation (4)
Leadership Award
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Chris Leach
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Preston Schilke
Unit Commendation (2)
Life Saving Award
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Nathan Huff
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Shawn Longest
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Kolbe Mattingly
Purple Heart
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Detective Casey Foster
Outstanding Commendation
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Detective Sergeant Chris Hayes
Leadership Award
Unit Commendation (3)
Humanitarian Award
Advanced Certification (4)
Deputy Eric Wimsatt
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Detective Matt Fitzgerald
Unit Commendation
Outstanding Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Sheriff’s Excellence Award
Deputy Tommy Ferry
Outstanding Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Sheriff’s Excellence Award
Deputy Chris Vessels
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Matt Selby
Unit Commendation
Outstanding Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Ryan Hatfield
Unit Commendation (2)
Outstanding Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Detective Sergeant Fred Coomes
Unit Commendation (3)
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Jacob Gould
Life Saving Award
Humanitarian Award
Detective Michael O’Herron
Military Award
Advanced Certification
Education Award
Leadership Award
Deputy Philip Walling
Unit Commendation (4)
Military Award
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Matt Alexander
Life Saving Award
Humanitarian Award
Detective Sergeant Kelsey Skaggs
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Detective Jacob Stauffer
Unit Commendation
Outstanding Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Jalen Moorman
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Mike Pearre Jr.
Advanced Certification
Unit Commendation (4)
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Trent Smith
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Deputy Joe Baize
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Tyler Free
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Cameron Edwards
Unit Commendation
Life Saving Award
Leadership Award
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Jake Klotzback
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Lieutenant Phil Ashby
Unit Commendation
Humanitarian Award
Detective Josh White
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Sergeant Nick Hines
Unit Commendation (2)
Humanitarian Award
Officer Ray Whistle
Unit Commendation
Officer Jessica Kircher
Unit Commendation (2)
Outstanding Commendation
Deputy Frank Howard
Unit Commendation
Civilian And Support Personnel
Bill McKinney
Unit Commendation
Special Deputy Adam Johnston
Unit Commendation
Deputy Clerks
Kim Hays, Alicia Evans, Tinley Hall, Alyssa Sanner, Althe Hatfield, Tonya Payne
Unit Commendation
Deputy Clerk Jess Sanner
Unit Commendation
Leadership Award
Special Deputy Brandon Lanham
Unit Commendation
Military Award
Sergeant Joey Bayer
Military Award
CSO Corporal Ruth Wilhite
Sheriff’s Excellence Award
Unit Commendations
Lt. Phil Ashby; CSO Amanda Pate; CSO Bill Mattingly; CSO Denny Campbell; CSO Ed Hoskins; CSO Donna Mattingly; CSO Billy Davis; CSO Randy Lowe; CSO Kristel Wright; CSO Houston Coons; CSO Dale Faith; CSO Kaylee Brinson; CSO Charley McCarty; CSO Gary Jackson; CSO Neal Blue; CSO Jeff Rhinerson; CSO Jolene Morgan; CSO Ruth Wilhite; CSO Mike Pearre Sr.; CSO Robert Duvall; CSO David Coleman; CSO Mike Page; CSO Lindsay Wahler; CSO Kevin Bailey; CSO David Owen; CSO Lohrn Frazier; CSO Ron Howard; Sgt. Joey Bayer
Sheriff’s Excellence Award Recipients
CSO Corporal Ruth Wilhite
Detective Matt Fitzgerald
Deputy Tommy Ferry
Captain Jeff Payne
Captain Duane Harper
Ribbons And Medals — Order Of Precedence
Medal of Honor – Awarded to a deputy killed in the line of duty.
Medal of Valor – Awarded to a deputy who demonstrates uncommon bravery, especially at great personal risk.
Purple Heart – Awarded to a deputy wounded or seriously injured in the line of duty beyond a routine accident.
Sheriff’s Excellence Award – The highest award for performance not covered by other honors, presented annually.
Leadership Award – Awarded to a deputy who demonstrates leadership above their rank through initiative or action.
Military Award – Awarded to a deputy who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Life Saving Award – Awarded to a deputy whose actions save the life of another person.
Outstanding Commendation – Awarded for exceptional performance or significant casework reflecting great credit upon the office.
Unit Commendation – Awarded to deputies who work together to accomplish a task benefiting the community.
Humanitarian Award – Awarded to deputies who provide aid during natural or manmade disasters.
School Resource Officer Award – Awarded to a deputy who serves or has served as an SRO.
Advanced Certification – Awarded to a deputy who earns a specialty designation through formal training or education.
Qualification Awards
Expert Pistol Award – Awarded to deputies scoring 90 or above on annual pistol qualification.
Sheriff’s Ten Award – Awarded to the 10 deputies with the highest annual weapons qualification scores.
