BOZEMAN — It started a bit of humor on social media among sheriffs across the state of Montana - and has now turned into something of a viral hit.
Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin made a post on Facebook in September calling on all Sheriffs from the 56 counties across the state to post their best "glamour shots."
Then Gootkin had the idea of turning the photos into a calendar, and using the money from the sales for a good cause.
"We have the Montana Guardian Fund which helps families who lose a family member that work in law enforcement or are emergency responders. The bills continue, the paychecks stops. The insurance takes a long time to kick in, so there's that stop-gap where those poor families are going through the most difficult time you can imagine."
The Montana Guardian Fund "provides financial assistance to families of Montana Peace Officers who lost their lives, or are victims of serious, traumatic, and disabling injury, in the line of duty and cannot return to work."
The Gallatin County Sheriff's made 200 calendars that quickly sold out.
Sheriff Gootkin says he's thrilled with the public's response: "Most importantly, it's a great cause, the Montana Guardian Fund. And then secondly it's just the overwhelming support we have from the public as law enforcement."
The Montana Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association is selling the calendars for $10 each, and they are available by contacting local sheriff's offices.
