Local EMT and Chief Deputy Awarded For Their Service

Local emergency medical technician (EMT) Ken Taylor and Chief Deputy of the Valley County Sheriff's Office Joe Tihlarik were recognized and provided VFW Public Servant Awards during the monthly VFW Post #3107 meeting on March 10 at the VFW in Glasgow.

Taylor was awarded the EMT of the Year award for both District as well as the State of Montana. He was nominated by Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital's Director of Emergency Services Connie Wethern due to his continued service. He is an advanced EMT, serving Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital's Stat Ambulance for 12 years in addition to being a first aid and CPR instructor. He is also the lead instructor for EMT courses. "If you ask for something, Ken is always there. If you get hurt, you would want him there," Wethern told the Courier.

Tihlarik was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, also for both District and the State of Montana. He was nominated by Sheriff Tom Boyer due to his exemplary service in the performance of his duties as a sworn law enforcement officer. Tihlarik has worked on and off for the Valley County Sheriff's Office since 2013, spending just over a year as a detention officer. He was then hired as a part-time deputy and then was hired on full-time in 2015. After taking time off to spend in the warmer climate, he came back as a full-time deputy in 2018. In 2020, he was promoted to the Chief Deputy position, having the responsibilities of managing the patrol deputies, as well as reviewing and approving cases that are turned into the county attorney. "Joe is a leader who continues to grow in knowledge and experience and works diligently to teach our newer deputies. Our officers are better because of Joe," Boyer told the Courier.

Both Taylor and Tihlarik were honored to have been recognized for the District and were pleasantly surprised to also find out they were also awarded for the state.

Every year the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects emergency medical technicians, law enforcement and firefighter personnel to receive these VFW Public Servant Awards after asking for one nomination from each group.

In order to qualify for these awards, candidates must have demonstrated recognition by their colleagues or those they serve, have consistent excellence in the performance of their duties, have consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their position. There are a total of 68 posts in the State and any post can send in a nomination. The nominations are reviewed by the State Commander and Quartermaster to select the winners.

At the local level All-American commander Art Widhalm contacts the supervisors and asks for submissions. "We have no competition at the local level, we only ask for one," said Widhalm. Post #3107 has been participating in this program since 2017 and has had several state winners in the past years.