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Sheriff Larry Diaz presented three deputies awards for their work in apprehending John Karl Areianna Crowson - CC -
Deputy Court Security Charley Wheeler accepts his certificate and plaque from Sheriff Larry Diaz. Arieanna Crowson - CC -
Deputy April Salazar accepts her certificate and plaque from Sheriff Larry Diaz. Arieanna Crowson - CC -
Detective Brian Gardner accepts his certificate and plaque from Sheriff Larry Diaz. Arieanna Crowson - CC
GRANTS, NM – Sheriff’s Deputies who were involved in the arrest of John Karl O’Brien after he walked into the Cibola County Building wielding a large axe, were presented awards at the recent Cibola County Commission Meeting for their work in preventing harm to any courthouse employees or Cibola County staff.
Cibola County Sheriff Larry Diaz presented three deputies involved in the arrest of O’Brien awards for their work that included a certificate and a plaque. The officers awarded were Detective Brian Gardner, Deputy April Salazar and Deputy Court Security Charley Wheeler. Diaz said, “A lot of courts and businesses get threats all the time, maybe 99 percent of the time nothing happens. In this particular case something horrible would have happened there. So, thank God for the commitment and dedication of these officers, in my book they’re heroes… I’m just so proud and privileged. The undersheriff on down to our deputies with the commitment and dedication they have, they put their life first.”
Gardner was awarded in recognition for distinguished honor of exceptional job performance for his arrest of O’Brien. Salazar was awarded in recognition for distinguished honor of exception job performance for her work during the arrest of O’Brien. Wheeler was awarded in recognition for distinguished honor of exceptional job performance for his work as courthouse security during the arrest of O’Brien.
In closing Diaz said, “These three deputies here, that particular morning they saved lives. That just goes to show you their duty comes first. We always say family first, they put their lives on the line for each and everyone of us here and will continue to do that. I praise you; I’m honored we’re blessed to have you here. [From the] undersheriff and myself, thank you for being a part of the Cibola County Sheriff’s Department.”
BACKGROUND
On April 8, John Karl O’Brien was reported to have entered an office in Rio Rancho and was allegedly saying he would be going to shoot Judge Amanda Villalobos. An individual who worked at the office reported that O’Brien walked to an area that the public is not allowed to be in and was yelling. The individual reported that O’Brien allegedly said he had a gun and was going to shoot Judge Villalobos. Around 10:30 a.m. deputies received information that O’Brien had made these threatening statements. Deputies responded immediately and issued a lockdown order on the Cibola County 13th District Court and the entire Cibola County complex.
Following the confrontation in Rio Rancho, O’Brien drove from Rio Rancho to Grants and proceeded to the Cibola County 13th District Court. O’Brien entered the County building through the front doors and approached Detective Brian Gardner. In his report Gardner said that he was waiting to be let back into the courthouse when he turned around and observed O’Brien wielding a large axe. Gardner then drew his firearm and instructed O’Brien to put the axe down. O’Brien did not comply and was reported to ask where Judge Villalobos was. Gardner instructed O’Brien again to put the axe down before O’Brien finally complied and was arrested by sheriff’s department deputies. O’Brien is being charged for attempted first-degree murder, threatening a judge or their immediate family, and using a telephone to intimidate or threaten. Read an update to the case on page A7.