6/11/2024
Marion County, OR. – Official Release: At the 2024 Marion County State of the County address, the Marion County Board of Commissioners gave five Highland Elementary School Employees the Distinction of Honor, Marion County’s highest award for heroically protecting their students from a dangerous, mentally ill assailant on the last day of school last year.
The assailant, Charley Velasquez-Sanchez, had already been arrested in the past for violent assault, but the Oregon State Hospital had refused to hold him for treatment despite its statutory obligations.
Then on the morning of June 14, 2023, the kids were playing at recess at Highland Elementary School in Salem, Oregon, when events took a horrible turn. Mr. Valezquez-Sanchez stormed the campus and attempted to get to the kids.
School Librarian Laurie Miller tried to stop him. He punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground. Seeing this, Ashley Rochetto called for help on her radio. The assailant then attacked her, kicking her in the head until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she shouted for the kids to run inside to safety. Hearing the call for help on the radio, Andrew Limbeck, Keiny Aisek, and Keith Broyles ran outside and subdued Mr. Valezquez-Sanchez until the police arrived.
“What these folks did was incredible,” said Commissioner Colm Willis. “But they wouldn’t have had to be heroes if the state would comply with its statutory obligation and quit pretending like it is not responsible for these dangerous individuals in our community.
“The state’s behavior in this matter has been unconscionable, but we are incredibly blessed to have such heroic teachers in our community.”
Marion County filed multiple lawsuits against the State Hospital in state and federal court, to prevent incidents like this from happening again. The county will continue to advocate for the safety of our community and accessible treatment for individuals in crisis.
About the Author
My only child is in her mid thirties but as a mother, I can only imagine the terror that everyone felt that day. God bless all the brave staff for what they did to protect the children. You are all true heroes. 💖