(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Olav Chaney, a retired Army veteran and Colorado Springs Police Sergeant, received the Spirit of Colorado Springs Flag Day Award on Friday, June 12, in Colorado Springs. The award honors individuals who embody the values the American flag stands for, with this year’s theme recognizing veterans and first responders.
Chaney is recognized for his decades of service, including four years in the Army and leading the Colorado Springs Police Department’s homeless outreach team.
His contributions exemplify the dedication celebrated on Flag Day.
After serving in the military, Chaney later joined the Honor Guard in the early 1990s and shortly after became a police officer. Chaney reflected on the meaning of service, stating, “I know it’s never been easy for those that wore the uniform.” He added, “When you look at our old glory, our good old flag, it represents our freedoms that we enjoy today.”
During his career as a police officer, Chaney led the police department’s homeless outreach team. He earned a life-saving award for preventing a suicide attempt. Chaney expressed the impact of his work, saying, “It was nice to hear that you did make a difference, and that’s what I would tell everybody else in public safety or even in uniform. You may not ever know all the time when you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, but know that you have.”…