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Disabled Vet: Colo. Deputy ‘Saved My Life’ Salting Icy Drive after Fall

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March 27, 2023 “He made me feel safe. He went beyond his job duties,” said a disabled veteran in Eaton about a Weld County sheriff’s sergeant salting her driveway after she broke her arm slipping on the ice.

By Morgan McKenzie Source Greeley Tribune, Colo. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A Weld County Sheriff’s Office sergeant saw a unique opportunity — a task outside of his typical job duties — to help an Eaton woman feel safe leaving her home.

Sgt. Larry Neugebauer knows it’s not law enforcement’s responsibility to help citizens with duties such as salting a driveway, but if able, he will offer a helping hand. That’s exactly what he did when Gale Gomez called the sheriff’s office.

Gomez, a disabled veteran living in Eaton, said the frequent winter weather and lack of gutters on her home has left patches of ice on her property on the south side of town. The unavoidable ice resulted in her slipping and breaking her arm.

In the days following her initial tumble, she said she continued to fall as she walked to and from her car because of the hazardous conditions on her walkway. She hit her head and previously broken arm on her third fall.

Due to her run-ins with the ice, Gomez felt frightened about leaving the house. She was stuck, wondering how she would go about her typical days until the ice melts. Even a simple trip to the store was a dangerous gambit for the veteran.

Left with nowhere else to turn, Gomez called the Weld County Sheriff’s Office to request a deputy salt her property. Within an hour, Gomez received a ring from Neugebauer, who she described as a kind and amazing man. He was there to save the day in a simple yet life-altering way.

Neugebauer jumped to action when he caught notice of Gomez’s request via dispatch call notes. He said he stopped at a gas station to purchase salt while en route to her home. Upon arrival, Gomez happily opened her gate for him to salt her 100-foot driveway in the dark and icy weather.

“This guy saved my life,” Gomez said. “He made me feel safe. He went beyond his job duties.”

Neugebauer said Gomez’s call presented an opportunity to help a community member in need. While part of his job is to protect and serve the Weld County community, he also feels his job entails helping people.

Even the little things matter greatly to the people of Weld County, according to Neugebauer.

“It is always good to go out and help somebody and make their day a little bit better,” Neugebauer said.

Gomez’s positive exchange with Neugebauer highlights that there are law enforcement officials like him available to help community members in need no matter how big or small the task is.

Neugebauer’s actions leave behind a sense of comfort for Gomez, knowing he is there for people.

“It left me crying,” Gomez said. “You don’t usually interact with the police the way I did.”

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