'Just help one person'

RITZVILLE - A line of firetrucks, family, friends, ambulances and Adams County Sheriff's department vehicles paraded past Marsha Bradshaw's home on 5th Ave Monday to honor her for a long career of service as a 911 dispatcher.

"After close to 25 years dispatching for us, she will be a voice we will miss dearly," Adams County Sheriff's Office Administrative Assistant Sarah Ferderer said.

Bradshaw worked as an Adams County dispatcher for 24 years and six months, following work with the Moses Lake Police Department from 1981-88.

"I did my job. I felt if I could help just one person, one time, that was my goal in life," Bradshaw said. "I know I've helped a lot more people than that, so I met my goal. "That should be everyone's goal - to just do the best you can."

Organized as a surprise, the parade included EMS workers Karin Schaefer, Roni Kinney, Brooke Pichette, Chablis Green, Josh Browlowe and Robert Dew; firemen Chad Hoeft, Scott Kembel, Lindsey Lefevre, Justin McKenzie, Andy Lefevre, Kellen Hays, Dave Breazeale, Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick, and Scott Carruth; friends Vicki Federer and Parker Henkel; and law enforcement personnel Sheriff Dale Wagner, Undersheriff Adolfo Coronado, Sgt. Juan Garcia, Ferderer, Jail Commander Nick Williams, current dispatcher Kevin Swartz, current Emergency 911 Manager Angie Fode, Jail Sergeant Seth Henkel, retired deputy Ned Bernath, police officer Mark Cameron, retired civil deputy Yvonne Anderson, retired deputy and current Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Weise; and dispatcher Sandie Neisinger, Bradshaw's partner for seven years.

Receiving gifts and cards for Bradshaw from passers-by were Ferderer and Wagner.

Bradshaw called the parade "a surprise-and-a-half," after Ferderer knocked on her door to invite her outside. Secret-keepers included Bradshaw's daughters, grand-daughters and 6-year-old great-granddaughter Allaura West.

"'Surprise' is the understatement of the year," Bradshaw said.