Arizona officers involved with escapee arrests honored

SPRINGERVILLE, AZ - A crowd of 60 or more gave a standing ovation to the men and women behind the capture of escaped inmate, John McCluskey, and his accomplice, Casslyn Welch.

The two were taken into custody in a small campground near Eagar last month after being identified by a forest ranger.

"We came up with a quick plan, night was closing in. We got lucky and we got 'em," Apache County Sheriff's Sgt, John Scruggs said.

"It was kinda like slow motion, it slowed down a bit. You're just kinda waiting on her to make a move, and I think at that point she was deciding if she wanted to live or die," Scruggs said.

Senator Jon Kyl was among those congratulating the men and women involved with the capture, in which nobody was hurt.

"The way law enforcement officers here handled themselves tactically and strategically could rival any of the major police departments in the country," David Gonzales Arizona's US Marshal said.

McCluskey and Welch had been on the run nearly a month after escaping from a privately run state prison in Kingman.

Investigators say Welch helped McCluskey and two other inmates break out of the prison.

Although the escape has stirred controversy about the corrections system, those involved in taking the two off the street are being hailed as heros.

"It's a nice feeling to be recognized by the community and the law enforcement agencies in the state," Scruggs said.

The forest ranger who discovered the pair did not attend, claiming concern over threats from McCluskey's associates.

This week, officials determined he is not eligible for reward money offered for their arrest.

Fellow officers say his keen eye is appreciated and he gets credit for keeping this community safer.