On Thursday, November 4th, 2021, the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) conducted an awards  ceremony at the NDDOT-Valley City District. Five separate awards were presented during
the ceremony:

• Trooper Jonathan Skalicky, NDHP, was awarded the NDHP Legion of Honor Medal
• Officer Jason Runge, Valley City Police Department, received the NDHP Colonel’s  Award of Excellence
• Bryan Bridgeford, West Fargo, ND, received the NDHP Colonel’s Award of Excellence
• Trooper Gabriel Irvis, NDHP, received the ND Peace Officers Association Life Saving  Award
• Trooper Joshua Page, NDHP, received the ND Peace Officers Association Exceptional  Performance Award

An additional award was presented, but the individual was unable to attend. His award was  mailed to him. The additional award was for Roy Del Ozo, Lawton, OK. He received the  NDHP Colonel’s Award of Excellence.

Trooper Skalicky, Officer Runge, Bryan Bridgeford and Roy Del Ozo received their awards for  their involvement with the following incident:

• On July 26th, Bryan Bridgeford called 911 to report a reckless driver. The driver then
 entered and parked at the Oriska Rest Area. Mr. Bridgeford remained at the rest area  observing the vehicle to report updates to law enforcement. Trooper Skalicky responded to the reckless driver call and located the suspect vehicle at the rest area.

While attempting to arrest the driver of the vehicle, the driver placed the vehicle in  reverse, dragging Trooper Skalicky, causing an injury to him. Shortly thereafter, the
 suspect attempted to disarm Trooper Skalicky. Trooper Skalicky had lost his radio  during the struggle, so Mr. Bridgeford called 911 to report the resisting suspect and the  need for additional law enforcement assistance. Mr. Bridgeford and Roy Del Ozo then  asked Trooper Skalicky if they could help him. Trooper Skalicky accepted their  assistance and the three of them were able to subdue the suspect, place her in  handcuffs and into a patrol car. Officer Runge arrived shortly thereafter and assisted
Trooper Skalicky on securing the crime scene and allowing Trooper Skalicky to obtain  needed medical care. Trooper Skalicky was out of work for approximately six weeks  with the injury he sustained during the incident.

Trooper Skalicky was nominated for his medal internally within the NDHP. Officer Runge, Mr. Bridgeford and Mr. Del Ozo were nominated by Trooper Skalicky for their awards.

Trooper Irvis and Trooper Page received their awards for actions in the following incident:

• On December 5th, 2020, Trooper Page attempted to stop a motorist for a traffic  violation on I-94 in Fargo. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-94,  crossing the Red River into Minnesota. After entering MN, the vehicle continued to flee. Trooper Page made the decision to discontinue the pursuit in MN. After  discontinuing, Trooper Page continued to drive in MN, eastbound on I-94 to ensure the  fleeing vehicle did not crash. Just east of the 34th St. overpass in MN, the suspect
vehicle had rolled. Trooper Page located one occupant from the vehicle in the median.
The male occupant had been ejected from the vehicle. The male suspect was alive  and treatment was provided. A short time later, Trooper Irvis arrived, and a passing  motorist alerted Trooper Irvis to a female laying in the westbound lanes of I-94 at the  same location. The female had been the driver of the suspect vehicle and was ejected  in the crash. Trooper Irvis provided medical treatment to include CPR to the female  and was able to revive her. Once EMS personnel arrived, care was transferred, and
the female suspect survived the incident.


The NDHP Legion of Honor Medal is awarded to NDHP personnel who are injured in the line  of duty. NDHP members are nominated by another NDHP member and the nomination is
forwarded to the NDHP Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

The NDHP Colonel’s Award of Excellence is awarded by the NDHP Superintendent to NDHP  employees and citizens for actions that have benefited the NDHP and State of North Dakota.
Individuals can be nominated by any NDHP employee for this award.

The NDPOA Lifesaving Award is for law enforcement officers’ actions that significantly  contribute to saving a human life.


The NDPOA Exceptional Performance Award is for law enforcement officers who handle or  confront an emergency and handle it in a professional manner.