Valley County honors sergeant and deputy for July 15 detention-center response

Valley County commissioners heard a formal presentation from the Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 22 recognizing Sergeant Ryan Nelson and Deputy Ricky Coby for actions during a July 15, 2025 detention-center attack.

A Sheriff’s Office representative read the citation describing how, shortly after receiving a call that a deputy was involved in a fight, Sergeant Nelson ran to the detention center while off duty, instructed dispatch to be notified and assisted in securing the scene. The citation states Nelson ‘‘dropped what he was doing and ran directly to the jail’’ and helped secure a weapon and place the suspect in handcuffs.

The citation further described Deputy Ricky Coby’s encounter with the inmate inside the booking area. The reading recounted that during the assault the inmate produced a concealed blade and made threats, quoted in the record as saying, "you wanna die? I have a blade right here." The citation credited Coby with maintaining composure, applying control measures and eventually rendering the assailant unconscious, actions that the Sheriff’s Office said prevented further injury to staff and inmates.

Commissioners applauded the deputies and thanked the Sheriff’s Office for highlighting training and readiness. The awards were presented publicly and will be recorded in the office’s personnel records; no disciplinary or investigative matters were announced at the time of the presentation.