Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and dispatchers from Park and Big Horn counties were feted on Tuesday at Northwest College.

Hosted by NWC’s Criminal Justice Club, the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event was intended to offer thanks to local officers. Representatives from the multiple agencies that attended were treated to some breakfast snacks, plaques and kind words.

In an opening prayer, NWC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dave Patterson sought “to let everybody here know how much they’re appreciated in what they do daily — giving their lives on the line and also the commitment they make to the profession.”

Powell Mayor John Wetzel also offered thanks.

“As a mayor, when law enforcement isn’t doing their job, life gets really rough — and when they are doing their job, it’s nice and easy,” Wetzel said. “... I definitely appreciate what’s going on throughout these communities.”

A portion of the ceremony involved recognizing about a dozen retired law enforcement officers in the community who collectively served for about 300 years. The honored retirees included Alan Kent, Mark Lynn and Matt Brilakis of the Powell Police Department; Lisa Cooke, Andy MaGill and Rob Cooke of the Park County Sheriff’s Office; John Sinskie of the FBI; Chuck Davis of the California Department of Corrections; and Gail Sizer of the East Cocalico, Pennsylvania, Township Police Department.

NWC was also well-represented among the retirees: Patterson spent more than 31 years in law enforcement, retiring as a lieutenant with the Park County Sheriff’s Office, while his fellow Assistant Professor Jack McGrath served 25 years with the FBI. Additionally, NWC Interim Campus Security Coordinator Josh Buhmann spent 25 years in law enforcement with the U.S. Army, Evanston Police Department and Uinta County Sheriff’s Office.

Club Dauntless also celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day over the past week with a fitness challenge and owner Stacy Bair offered a thank you to the gathered officers on Tuesday.

“From us representing the common folk, just know that, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate all you guys do to keep us little people in a civilized world,” she said.