Michael Romero Named Adams County Employee of ALL Seasons

Michael Romero

The Adams County Board of Commissioners announced Michael Romero as Adams County Employee of ALL Seasons at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon held on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Michael began his career in March 1994 as a Deputy Sheriff in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and retired in May 2013. He then returned to work for Adams County in October 2014 as a part-time Investigations Assistant for the District Attorney’s Office and continues to serve in this role today.

As part of the county’s employee recognition program, Michael was nominated and chosen as the overall Summer Employee of the Season 2023 winner in the First Responder category, which honors individuals for being the first to respond to an emergency or threat, and those who have the responsibility to protect the public to the best of their ability.

Michael’s nomination read: “On Thursday, June 1, 2023, a hero appeared just in time. Two inmates had just escaped from the Sheriff’s jail transport bus near Bridge Street and 19th Avenue in Brighton. Luckily, Michael, who was off duty that day, was in the same area. He heard a woman yelling for help. He ran toward her, not knowing what was happening. As he approached the woman’s car, he heard a man screaming at her, “Start the car, start the car!” The man was forcibly trying to carjack the woman’s car. Michael quickly recognized the man was wearing the striped jumpsuit of an inmate from the jail and had likely escaped. Unarmed and without concern for his personal safety, he intervened, and the inmate tried to run away. Not wanting him to hurt someone else, he pursued and grabbed the inmate. The inmate physically fought and kicked him to try to get away. However, he held on and restrained the escaped inmate until the police arrived. He is a true professional every day of his life, but on this day, he also was a true superhero.”

“Michael’s quick thinking and bravery prevented a bad situation from becoming worse, and the community is safer for his actions,” said Emma Pinter, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “I can’t think of a better example of an employee living up to our county norms and values.”

Adams County currently has approximately 2,900 employees who serve the county’s approximately 527,000 residents. To become Employee of ALL Seasons, employees are nominated and voted on by their coworkers, the Recognition Committee, and Adams County residents.

“We use the word ‘hero’ a lot, but this time, it really applies,” said 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason in a pre-recorded video played at the lunch featuring a dozen of Michael’s colleagues as well as his wife, Dorothy. “Michael, I'm so proud to have you as a member of the District Attorney's Office. Thank you for doing what you do every day and thank you in particular for what you did on that day.”

The Employee Recognition Luncheon is an annual event to recognize employees who have reached a milestone year with the county, employees with over 20 years of service, employees identified as Wellness Champions, and the Employee of the Season award recipients.