VERNAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Well last night I had a weird thing happen!

I went to the Police Department bar-b-que and was given an award.

Street Officer of the Year. WOW I was pretty excited about this, I have worked hard but of course still played hard all year, and for some reason I was able to achieve this award. With the birth of Kalysa and the award back to back it was a good two days.

I have been employed by Vernal City for over a year now, July 15, 2007 to now. I have been able to do things in this department that I have always wanted to do. On February 15, 2008 I was issued a K9. Her name is Sammy, and we have been really doing well together. It feels good to have this opportunity. In the past the possibility of being a K9 handler was held out in front of me like a rabbit with a carrot, but I asked Chief Jensen for the opportunity and it was granted.

A friend of mine Brent Hatch was the current handler and had the opportunity to go to Alaska and be a trooper which would leave Sammy without a handler. I was able to work with Brent for two weeks to get to know the dog and a crash course on what to do and the next thing you know I am a K9 handler. I have had the other handlers in the basin help me a lot namely Andrew Cox, and Bevin Watkins. I was mostly lucky because she was already a great dog.

I have worked other agencies and have never felt like I was at home until Vernal City. Every employee here seems as though they are a friend or part of a brotherhood with me. At no time in this department have I felt "alone". The supervisors are awesome. It is such a great place to work with enthusiastic veterans to new guys wanting to stop crime with everyone else.

I guess you know I will have to work extra hard this coming year so I can try for back to back awards! (that would be weird).