Highways Employees Fletcher, Conklin, and Oldershaw Named April Employees of the Month; Trio’s Quick Actions Saved Injured Bald Eagle

From Harford County government:

Harford County Division of Highways employees Randy Fletcher, Bruce Conklin, and Gary Oldershaw have been recognized by County Executive David R. Craig as the Employees of the Month for April. The three were nominated by Ronald Brock, Supervisor of Highways – First District.

On February 12, 2011, Mr. Fletcher was driving a Gradall excavator east on Route 40 when overhead he saw two bald eagles fighting above the highway. As he moved closer to them, one eagle fell from the sky and landed in the fast lane of the road.

To protect the eagle from being hit by a vehicle, Mr. Fletcher pulled the Gradall in front of the bird, called to request law enforcement assistance, and proceeded to divert traffic into the slower lane. Shortly after, Fletcher’s co-workers Bruce Conklin and Gary Oldershaw arrived and assisted in redirecting traffic around the injured bird.

Law enforcement officers arrived and a representative of the Department of Natural Resources transported the eagle for treatment. The bird would later undergo rehabilitation at the Phoenix Wildlife Center, and was released back into the great outdoors at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center on Otter Point Creek on March 19.

In naming the three men Employees of the Month, County Executive Craig stated, “Through the quick actions of Randy Fletcher and with the valuable assistance of Bruce Conklin and Gary Oldershaw, one of nature’s most beautiful creatures was saved, and a symbol of freedom was returned to Harford County’s skies. It is a heartwarming story and shows the willingness of county employees to step forward and lend a hand in the community whenever needed.”

Supervisor Ronald Brock stated in his nomination of the men as Employees of the Month, “Thanks to Randy, Bruce, and Gary, a precious avian resident of Harford County will fly overhead again for all to observe and appreciate.”

In one more act of generosity, the three men have donated the $100 they shared for being named Employees of the Month to the Phoenix Wildlife Center, which rehabilitated the eagle and coordinated its release.