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Wounded officer, two others honored Efforts during December shootout recognized By JESSICA SMITH Five months after Scott Clauson was shot when he and other police officers confronted a man with a gun in west Medford, he�s again working to put away bad guys. "I can still do that from behind a desk, fortunately," said Clauson, who is working forgery and fraud cases at the Medford police station. Clauson hasn�t been on patrol since Dec. 18, when he was wounded in a shootout on South Columbus Avenue. "What I�m doing now is good experience, but it�s also tough because the guys whom I respect are hitting the streets each night," Clauson said. "There are definitely parts of working the street that I miss � the camaraderie and working close with my peers." Clauson and two other officers, Mike Strouse and Sgt. Dave Ryder, were honored May 12 for their efforts during the shootout by the Oregon Police Officers Association. Clauson and Strouse � the two officers who reportedly were fired upon by Moises Sanchez-Llamas, the man police arrested after the gun battle � received the association�s medal of honor. Ryder, who left his cover to aid Clauson after the junior officer was shot, was awarded the medal of valor. The three men were among nine who were called to the home where Sanchez-Llamas was allegedly threatening others with a gun early Dec. 18. As officers began setting up a safety perimeter around the home, Sanchez-Llamas apparently came out and began firing at Clauson and Strouse. Clauson was struck in the right thigh. After Clauson was hit, Ryder came to his side and took him immediately to a local hospital. Sanchez-Llamas was apprehended shortly after the shootout. He remains lodged at the Jackson County Jail awaiting trial on charges of attempted aggravated murder, first-degree assault, and other crimes. According to Ryder, police training made all the difference in the situation. "I think the team and their conduct was exemplary," Ryder said, adding that officers relied on their training to limit the threat to other officers and the public. "I would like to think that what we did is nothing more than what any good citizen would do," he added. Ryder, Clauson and Strouse said they were humbled by the police association�s awards, which were unexpected. "It�s good they have an organization to recognize police officers for what we do," said Strouse. "But we don�t go out there on a daily basis looking for awards. ... No. 1, I�m just glad Scott is going to recover." Clauson said he continues to undergo physical therapy to heal his leg. He no longer relies on crutches to get around. Doctors are predicting a full recovery, he said. By December, Clauson should be ready to hit the streets. "That�s still a big question in my mind," Clauson said about returning to patrol. "But at this point, I am still planning to go back out." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA