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ELDON, OK - Mike Dawes says he was just doing his job. But Dawes’ job was the kind you usually only read about in spy novels. The former Cherokee

Mike Dawes (far right) and his special operations team in full gear in Kosovo.

Nation Marshal recently returned home after receiving several commendations during his 18-month stint in Kosovo with an elite United Nations special operations unit.

On one occasion, Dawes and two other officers arrested an Albanian for possession of a hand grenade, and then protected the Albanian, and the grenade, from a group of eight Serbs as the situation turned into a riot.

"During the melee, Dawes was struck to the back of his head, however, he maintained control of the suspect and shielded him from dire harm," said Clinton Park, the U.N. Deputy Station Commander. Park said that Dawes and two other officers "knew the risks they were taking and never shirked from their responsibilities. Their commitment to their prisoner was beyond expectations while foregoing their own safety. The dangers they faced were clear and their bravery was admirable."

"In the area we were in, Serbs would throw Albanians out of their houses, either by threats, or by force or just by murdering the occupants if they wouldn’t leave," Dawes said. "We arrive on the scene, and the people are still there in the house, armed, waiting for you. Any call is a potential bad call."

"The region of Mitrovica in Kosovo is widely regarded as one of the most difficult and hazardous in any United Nations policing mission," said Kevin Smith, the U.N. Regional Commander in Mitrovica. "Officer Dawes is an exceptional police officer that has earned the total respect of all United Nations personnel in Mitrovica through his dedication, professionalism and courage."

That praise rings true with those who know Dawes. "It doesn’t surprise me that a man who has served the Cherokee Nation as a great patriot would also perform bravely under fire in Kosovo for the United Nations and for the United States," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Dawes' special operations unit was in charge of rescue missions and high-risk arrests and searches. While he balked at calling his experience "like being in a war," but Dawes did say that his group frequently exchanged gunfire with assailants. "I’ve never pulled my weapon so many times," he said.

Even on a typical day, Dawes would drive past burnt out cars and buildings to transport war criminals to and from prison. His unit also would guard visiting dignitaries and transport large amounts of money safely through the war-torn region.

"We also trained special police groups from Pakistan, Indian and Poland," Dawes said. "It was really an honor to teach people from countries like that."

Now, he says, he’s glad to be back home.