Two days, two events, two worthwhile causes. On Friday, September 11 \u2013 Patriot Day – I had the privilege of attending a Celebration of \u201cIdaho\u2019s Finest\u201d which was a fundraiser for the Idaho Peace Officers\u2019 Memorial and The Boise Police Activities League (PAL) Alcohol Prevention & Education Programs. <\/p>\n
At the event, our very own Ada County Sheriff\u2019s Sergeant Patrick Calley recounted how his family\u2019s life has been affected by the needless death of one of his POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) Academy classmates and fellow Officer Wade Feldner of the New Plymouth Police Department. The officer was killed in the line of duty on January 20, 1994. Sergeant Calley\u2019s wife, a teacher, had Officer Feldner\u2019s sons in her classes at school, and he was there when the young men graduated from high school. <\/p>\n
We also heard from the granddaughter of Officer Douglas M. Deen of the Idaho State Police. Officer Deen was killed in the line of duty on August 5, 1979. The Idaho Peace Officers\u2019 Memorial has provided his granddaughter with scholarship money to attend college. <\/p>\n
For more information on the Idaho Peace Officers\u2019 Memorial, or to make a donation, please contact Jessica at the Memorial at 208.922.9608 or jessica@idahopeaceofficersmemorial.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n For more information on the Boise Police Activities League, or to make a donation, please contact Jermaine at Boise PAL at 208.559.6711 or jgalloway@cityofboise.org<\/a> .<\/p>\n On Saturday, I attended the 9-12 Project Idaho and Tea Party Rally at the park in front of the statehouse. I have to say this: I am not a political extremist. I just want the people to be back in charge of our government, rather than an elite group of special interests who seem to have more influence and control than is warranted by their numbers. <\/p>\n