My father grew up in Deer Lodge, Polson and the Snowshoe area near Avon. He came to love the outdoors in these places, learning to hunt and fish and growing into expert marksman. He also learned to fight, competing in Golden Gloves boxing events. He was known to have a heavy foot, and he eventually brought that “skill” to racing stock cars.
Then Dad joined the United States Air Force. He always credited the service with “straightening” him out, and in fact, that life agreed with him: Over 20 years, he did tours in England, France and three at U-Tapao Airfield in Thailand before returning stateside, ending his military career in New Mexico.
Dad then brought our family back to Montana, where he signed on with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He spent 19 years as the department’s K-9 deputy, applying the dog handling skills he had acquired in the military. There were spent countless hours training K-9s Winston and later Rebel in drug interdiction, search and rescue and fugitive apprehension. He aided in federal investigations and manhunts, and helped pave the way for police dogs across Montana.
