Dear Sheriff Nash:

In January, 2003 I attended your Character Training class at our annual Undersheriff's Conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado.  I was so impressed by the program that I purchased  your video tape series.  All Grand County Sheriff's Employees subsequently viewed the tapes, and I have also mandated that all new Sheriff's Employees watch it as well.

On June 4, 2004 one of the towns that we provide police services for in our county was ravaged by an individual in an armored 75 ton bulldozer.  Over a two year period, this individual modified this bulldozer with 4-6 inches of concrete sandwiched between two ½" steel plates.  He then fitted a Mini-14 .223 rifle, FN .308 rifle and a Barrett .50 BMG rifle into the dozer so he could shoot at whoever tried to stop him.  He then set about to destroy the people who he believed had wronged him, including a concrete plant, the local town hall/library, public utilities buildings, and other businesses owned by various individuals with whom he held a grudge.  I am sure you probably have heard about this incident in the news.

I am very pleased to report however that because of the tremendous character shown by our law enforcement officers on that day, no citizen was injured or killed during this rampage.  Despite the fact that two officers were fired upon, and approximately 10 officers stayed in considerable danger of this maniac and his "tank" for over two hours, my men never gave up the fight.  Additionally, the characters of Alertness, Obedience, Self-Control, and Persistence (to name a few) have never been in more abundance than they were that day.  The town was successfully evacuated, and I believe the actions of the men and women of the Sheriff's Office undoubtedly saved dozens of lives.

While we gladly use the reduction of crime and improved personal lives as two of the benefits of positive character, I believe with all my heart that the character training my personnel have received contributed directly to the saving of lives on June 4. 

Once again, I feel absolutely indebted to you for the program you have developed and your desire to change the world through the building of better law enforcement officers. 

Respectfully yours,

Glen P. Trainor

Undersheriff