Deputy Stirk, who applied life-saving tourniquet, named county’s Employee of the Year
Photos by Tom Rivers: Martin Stirk, an Orleans County sheriff’s deputy, accepts the Employee of the Year award today from Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance.
ALBION – An Orleans County sheriff’s deputy was recognized today as the county’s “Employee of the Year” for applying a life-saving tourniquet on a man with a severe cut to his upper legs.
Martin Stirk was working on June 1 when he heard the call on the scanner. It wasn’t a call for law enforcement. It was an emergency medical situation.
The call was at Heron Falls in Clarendon. Stirk keeps a tourniquet by the front pocket of his uniform. He wasn’t sure how quickly an ambulance crew could get there so he headed to the scene.
He encountered a man bleeding profusely after being cut with a circular saw. Stirk put on the tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
That action likely saved the life of the man, by keeping him from bleeding out, said Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Stirk has worked as a deputy sheriff for 11 years. He said all the deputies are trained in CPR and first aid. He was used tourniquets before while on duty.
He was praised during the county’s employee recognition luncheon today for staying calm under pressure, and taking decisive action.
“This employee’s commitment to the community, willingness to take initiative, and professionalism reflect the high standards of public service within Orleans County,” said Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance. She was also emcee at today’s luncheon.
The county also recognized employees of the month since last October. Those employees include:
- Marilea Greean (Social Services) for October 2025
- Seymar Roman (Sheriff’s Office) for November 2025
- Donald Mack (IT Services) for December 2025
- Krista Bacon (Social Services) for January 2026
- Brett Sobrieski (District Attorney) for February 2026
- Dana Goetze & Jeffrey Ashbery (Sheriff’s Office) for March 2026
- Terra McGaffick (Social Services) for April 2026
- Jennifer Hammons (Social Services) for May 2026
- Pamela Boyer, Danielle Derisley, Maritza Nieves, Amber Skrip and Kasey Sprester (County Clerk-DMV) June 2026
- Linda Karp (Mental Health) for July 2026
- Martin Stirk (Sheriff’s Office) for August 2026
- Tanner Ferris & Hayli Kuellertz (Sheriff’s Office) for September 2026
Some of the employees of the month honored today include, from left to right: Marilea Greean, Donald Mack, Brett Sobieraski, Dana Goetze, Jeff Ashbery, Linda Karp, Martin Stirk and Hayli Kuellertz.
The county also honored the following retirees: Dawn Allen in Real Property, Della Fisher in the Office for the Aging, Judy Gress in Department of Social Services, Tammy Kendrick in the Sheriff’s Office, Holli Nenni in DSS, Christine Ryan in DSS, Marty Sanders in the Sheriff’s Office, Julie Sanford in DSS, and Allen Turner in the Sheriff’s Office.
Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, thanked all of the county employees for the work they do every day.
“Across every department, you play an important role in keeping our county running, and providing the services our residents depend on,” she said. “Much of what you do happens behind the scenes, but it makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
