GREAT FALLS — January 9th is celebrated as National Appreciation Law Enforcement Day, so KRTV talked with two officers from the Great Falls Police Department.
“I love this job, I love working with these people," said Officer Kevin Supalla
Supalla gets up everyday and goes to work but he hadn’t always been part of the law enforcement community: “My wife had always told me, 'You know, you're always talking about becoming a police officer or some type of law enforcement thing,' and she really encouraged me to try out."
But it hasn’t always been the easiest: “I had a health scare about three years ago and wasn’t sure I was going to continue in the profession. I really couldn’t think of anything else I rather do."
Thankfully, it all worked out; he said, "I was able to come back from that and I still think back on that time. What else would I do? I can’t imagine. I love doing this job."
But the job has its heart-breaking moments: “Every cop dreads something where a child was hurt or where there is an unresponsive child."
Officer Tony Munkres says that the support officers receive from the community is appreciated, and said, "We are people, too. We have families, we have relationships, we have the same problems that other people have, and we understand that when we are dealing with community members."
