BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Louisiana State Police recognized two Soldiers from 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) for their role in defusing a dangerous situation.
Army Staff Sgt. Kenny S. Scherrer and 2nd Lt. Rafael A. Polo were presented with the Louisiana State Police Meritorious Service Award during a ceremony here May 14.
Scherrer and Polo were assigned to the Fort Polk, Louisiana-based 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company at the time of the incident.
The Soldiers received the award for removing a hand grenade and several military explosives from a property in Catahoula Parish during a multi-day EOD response in support of the Louisiana State Police.
The Louisiana State Police credited the Soldiers with offering "invaluable and life-saving guidance" that proved critical in helping to defeat numerous well hidden and potentially lethal booby traps.
"As soon as the team leader and I stepped foot in the place, we knew this call was not going to be like the others," said Polo, a Brooklyn, New York, native who was a sergeant at the time.
Since the incident, Polo has received a commission as a U.S. Army ordnance officer. After he completes the Basic Officer Leadership Course, Polo will report to an EOD Company on Fort Hood, Texas.
The 705th EOD Company is part of the 63rd EOD Battalion, 52nd EOD Group, 20th CBRNE Command, the U.S. military's only command that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives threats.
In addition to deploying for combat operations around the globe, Army EOD Soldiers assigned to 20th CBRNE Command support federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation.
The 705th EOD Company covers Louisiana and Mississippi and disarms unexploded ordnance on Fort Polk's Joint Readiness Training Center, the U.S. Army's premier light infantry training center.
"What stands out most in my mind from the incident was the unity and teamwork that instantly had a presence on site between the bomb technicians of the various agencies," said Scherrer, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran from Clinton, Utah. "Without the cooperation of the Louisiana State Police and various agencies involved, the response would not have been nearly as successful as it was."
"The Louisiana State Police has some incredible officers that fill their ranks and it's truly an honor to be recognized by the Louisiana State Police," said Scherrer.
Brig. Gen. JB Burton, the commanding general of the 20th CBRNE Command, said Polo and Scherrer exemplify the pride and professionalism of the 20th CBRNE Command.
"These Soldiers answered the call and made us proud," said Burton, a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee, who has led the 20th CBRNE Command since May 2013. "We salute the Louisiana State Police for recognizing their efforts."
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