Pocatello officers honored for life-saving actions at swearing-in ceremony

POCATELLO — The Pocatello Police Department swore in a new class of officers, dispatchers and code enforcement officers this week, but the ceremony's most prominent moment centered on three officers who were honored with life-saving awards.

Capt. Zac Bartschi presented the awards to Cpl. Travis Namohala, Officer Brendan Daniels and Officer Wyatt Eichner, describing the chaotic, blood-soaked scenes the officers rushed to and the emergency trauma care they administered to survivors before paramedics arrived.

The first citation recounted a February 2026 call where officers found two injured women inside a residence. One suffered a laceration to her cheek, and the other suffered 18 stab wounds resulting in extensive blood loss. Responding officers began hemorrhage control immediately while also coordinating a protective sweep of the residence to make sure no threats remained.

Bartschi said medical personnel later determined the more severely injured victim would not have survived long enough for advanced treatment without the officers' immediate intervention.

"Their performance exemplifies the highest standards of law enforcement service and reflects a profound commitment to protecting human life," Bartschi said.

Namohala received a second award for a separate incident in August 2025, when he was first to respond to a welfare check and found a woman who had harmed herself with a knife, lethargic from blood loss and lying in a shower. He applied pressure to the wound before emergency crews arrived. Bartschi credited his swift action, leadership and composure with preserving her life.

The ceremony also recognized Megan "Mo" Osterhoff for developing the Know Me File program, which provides first responders with voluntary, confidential information on communication preferences and de-escalation strategies to help them safely interact with community members who have cognitive, developmental or communication vulnerabilities.

The ceremony also recognized Detective Eric Miller for earning a master's certificate from Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Earlier in the event, Police Chief Roger Schei swore in four new patrol officers, detailing backgrounds ranging from military service and long-haul trucking to prior law enforcement careers in South Carolina and Idaho detention work. City Clerk Connie Kendall administered the oath.

Two new dispatchers and two code enforcement officers were also sworn in, and Rochelle Whitnah was recognized for her promotion to lead dispatcher.

Closing the event, Schei thanked the crowd for attending and announced that the department plans to hold another swearing-in ceremony in late September for five additional officers currently in background processing, some of whom are expected to attend the police academy in January.

Schei urged families of the newly sworn-in officers to be patient with each other and to keep communicating.

"When you're at work, when you're home, you're in the community, go out and lead," Schei said. "When you do that, amazing things will happen, and the community will rally around us like they do, and they will show their support for us. I love living in Pocatello. We have a great community. Thank you to the mayor and council for your continued support on everything. We truly appreciate that."