Eric Grey & Tyler Sewald Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado State Parks

Gold Winner Ranger of the Year, Eric Grey & Tyler Sewald, Park Rangers at Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado
Tyler Sewald and Eric Grey were seasonal rangers at Chatfield State Park before becoming full-time employees at Jackson Lake State Park. . Both are outstanding employees who are dedicated to visitors’ safety and the protection of our natural resources. Tyler supervises gate attendant staff and manages the park’s bookkeeping and accounting to ensure quality assurance. Eric is a law enforcement instructor and supervises the visitor services staff, which includes one full-time employee and nine temporary employees. Eric is also the secretary for the Colorado State Parks’ Employee Protective Association. He continually completes all of his duties and assignments with extraordinary diligence, handling the instruction of rangers and representing State Park employees in the association. Both Eric and Tyler are well versed in all aspects of patrol duties on both land and water. Rangers at Jackson Lake State Park must be a “Jack of All Trades” and both of these gentlemen excel in this area.

Customer Testimonial:
I would like to nominate Senior Ranger Eric Grey and Ranger Tyler Sewald for their exceptional effort in saving the life of a young boy at Jackson Lake State Park. Without their dedication, training and willingness to help another, the young boy would have surely died. On April 19, 2008, a call was sent by Morgan County Dispatch of a capsized boat near the boat ramp. Officer Sewald was the first to arrive and saw the boat about 40 yards off shore. The wind was blowing about 30 miles per hour and pushing the boat to shore. Two men could be seen hanging on to the side of the vessel and a bystander told Officer Sewald that a young boy was trapped under the boat. Officer Sewald donned the cold water survival suit and swam to the vessel to assess the condition of the two men. He could hear the boy screaming and pounding on the bottom of the boat. Officer Grey arrived and used throw lines to pull the men to shore. They tied off the vessel and pulled it to shore.

By this time, the screaming had ceased. The officers could not reach the young boy because of an enclosed bow and the bimini top. The vessel was righted and they pulled the boy from the boat. They handed him off to emergency medical personnel who began CPR. By the time the helicopter arrived, the boy was breathing. Two days later, the boy was eating and walking around. He made a full recovery.

These two officers displayed the unselfishness and professionalism that exemplifies officers in Colorado State Parks. Their quick response and years of training saved the life of a young boy. I am honored to work alongside Eric Grey and Tyler Sewald. I know that our visitors are in very capable hands.