08/26/2026
At last night's Severance Town Council meeting, Mayor Matt Fries and Chief Ken Chavez formally recognized Sgt. Walter "Cooper" Arvisais with a Life Saving Award. On July 27th, a call came in to dispatch of a 2-year-old child unconscious and not breathing at a home in Severance. Sgt. Arvisais, along with Officers Doug Kline and Michael Mallory responded lights and siren to the home. Sgt. Arvisais was the first to arrive and immediately rushed into the home where he found the child unconscious and unresponsive in the backyard. Sgt. Arvisais immediately started infant CPR procedures and carried the child to the front yard in anticipation of the ambulance's arrival.
Sgt. Arvisais CPR efforts were successful in reviving the child to the point he was able to start breathing on his own. The child was immediately transported to Children's Hospital North by ambulance where he was able to make a complete recovery.
Prior to working for the Severance Police Department, Sgt. Arvisais served for 10 years with the Longmont Police Department. Prior to that, he worked as a Flight Paramedic with Flight for Life Colorado for 4 ½ years. Before this, he served as a Paramedic for twelve years.
Sgt. Arvisais' immediate response to the home and critical CPR skills revived this child and prevented a tragedy from occurring in Severance. He was the right person, at the right place, at the right time. Sgt. Arvisais' actions are indicative of the highest traditions of the Severance Police Department and the Town of Severance
