(KLZA) -- Richardson County  Sheriff Randy Houser presented Deputy Sheriff Joshua Nincehelser a Certificate of Commendation recently for exceptional performance of duty in a stressful and dangerous situation.  

On the evening of July 28th, Deputy Nincehelser responded to an ambulance call at a rural residence in Richardson County.  The call for service involved a possible drug overdose.

The Deputy made contact with the subject who had taken a large quantity of Xanex without a prescription.  Several members of the subject’s family were present. While ambulance squad personnel and para-medics were attempting to assess their patient, the subjects 16 year old sister approached from inside the residence with several kitchen knives raised and screaming threats.

Deputy Nincehelser presented his Tazer at a distance of approximately 8 feet and calmly issued a warning to the girl to drop the knives or be Tazed.  When she complied, Deputy Nincehelser placed her in handcuffs, detained her in his patrol vehicle, and directed the ambulance squad personnel to retreat to the roadway adjacent to the property due to verbal threats and interference from another male sibling. 

Deputy Nincehelser radioed for assistance, and it would be 13 minutes before the next Deputy arrived.

Deputy Nincehelser place the other belligerent sibling in handcuffs and seated him in a lawn chair while he contained the chaotic situation and awaited the arrival of other law enforcement officers. 

The Deputy continued to observe the subject and communicated calmly with three adult family members who were present, while receiving further verbal abuse from the detained male sibling, until assistance arrived and it was safe for ambulance squad members to return and resume patient care. 

The certificate acknowledges the Deputies performance under stress as a testament to his character, training and professional orientation, recognizing him for superior performance of duty.