In March, the American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming celebrated their annual Heroes of
the Year awards to individuals and groups living the Red Cross’s mission in their everyday
lives. A hero is defined as a brave person who has exhibited outstanding achievements in a
memorable event during a time of need. Here are the sponsors, heroes, and their stories for the
well-deserved hero awards!
Red Cross 2022 Lifesaving Heroes of the Year
Health One sponsor and VP of Marketing Dan Davidson recognized the military hero award to
Richard Fierro for subduing the gunman and saving many lives at Club Q in Colorado Springs in
2022. Sadly, five people died and 19 were injured in this shooting tragedy. Fierro served in the
US Army and did four deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq besides winning a bronze star for his
actions overseas.
Empower sponsor and VP of Corp Affairs Steve Gawlik recognized the first responder hero
award to Jazzarae Krebs, an ex-military police member, for saving a driver and passenger from
impending death after their vehicle caught on fire in 2021. Besides being in a homeless shelter
herself with her mother in 2008, she now helps people at a local homeless shelter.
PDC Energy sponsor and Senior Investment Specialist Katie Tate recognized the lifesaving
organization hero award to Banner Health’s intensive care unit of Northern Colorado Medical
Center in Greeley for saving one patient who contacted COVID-19 and recovered for five
months in ICU and lived to have a double lung transplant.
Red Cross Volunteer Executive Director Jackie Norris recognized the life changing hero award to
Howard Yazzie, a Navy veteran and Navajo American, for helping other veterans and Navajo
people in his local area from alcohol and drug abuse.
And last, Tiffany Circle volunteer Jayne and Mark Anderson recognized the lifesaving heroes of
the year award to Kimberly Shupe, Will Barrington, &a Lucas Sutphin for their heroic actions as
lifeguards at Warren Air Force Base Aquatic Center in Cheyenne for saving a swimmer who
drowned and brought him back to life using CPR.
The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming thanks these sponsors and individual
contributors for promoting this event. They are incredibly grateful for the generosity of their
soirée guests, volunteers and local businesses who made this event a success in raising
$719,000 as a new record in 2023 to support their mission!