Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Officer Experience

Short police stories with Officer Fox

Coffee Time with Officer Fox guest starring Detective Walker.

Years of Service: 1991-Present

In 1991, Sam began his career as a sheriff deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Office. After gaining a little experience, Sam transferred to the Clark County Sheriff's Office where he learned what law enforcement was about. Being a small department, Sam was thrown into every experience including dealing with livestock, working as an EMT, part firefighter, and dealing with a small jail.

In 1999, Sam began working for the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office. While there, Sam worked patrol, narcotics, was a sniper on the SWAT Team and then began his ascent through the department's ranks.

He rose steadily through the ranks until he was the Chief Deputy where he thought he would remain. After the previous sheriff retired Sam ran for the office and was elected sheriff in 2021.
 
In this episode, Sheriff Hulse discusses his career, leadership style, as well as some of the positions and issues he has dealt with as the sheriff including mental health and continuing education for those going through the judicial process in Bonneville County.

Sheriff Hulse also discusses the types of people and qualities he looks for in new recruits hoping to work for the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office.

For those interested in applying to become a Bonneville County Sheriff please contact https://bonnevillesheriff.com/join/.

Short police stories with Officer Fox

Coffee Time with Officer Fox guest starring Detective Walker.

Interview of Gooding County Sheriff's Office Detective Alex Boyer

Years of Service: 2001-Present

Alex had studied to become a music teacher, but along the way decided that his greater calling was to go into law enforcement. Alex explains that it was a combination of wanting to serve his community and growing up with his father and uncle in law enforcement that ultimately drove him to pursue a career in law enforcement.

During this episode, Alex discusses his journey from a jail deputy to patrol and the realities of working for a small department where you investigate many of the calls you take on patrol. In his 18 years on patrol, Alex investigated many crimes including murder while working on patrol after only a few years.

Alex was promoted to detective and has investigated numerous crimes including rape, child molestation, theft, armed robbery, and homicide. Alex is generally the person who conducts the interviews of suspects and interviewing witnesses. During this episode, Alex discusses a few of the interesting cases he has dealt with over the years.

Coffee Time with Officer Fox

Short stories with Officer Fox guest starring Detective Walker

Years of Service: 2019-Present

Neill began his career in law enforcement in 2019 as a reserve detention deputy in the Jerome County Jail. He was then hired full-time as a detention deputy for the Gooding County Jail.  As Neill explains, the jail helped him learn how to talk to people who were going through difficult times.  

In October of 2021, Niell was hired as a police officer for the Gooding Police Department.  As a new officer, Neill handled typical patrol calls including traffic, domestic violence, and theft.  

In 2023, as a result of staffing shortages, Neill was thrown into the deep end and was promoted to detective where he began investigating crimes such as sexual assault, child abuse, drug trafficking, and homicide.  

In May of 2023, Neill was assigned his first homicide investigation. During this interview, Neill offers a candid assessment of what it is like to be a young detective, the steep learning curve, and relying on older more experienced detectives to help him with investigations.

Short stories with Officer Fox guest

Years of Service: 1987-2018 

Derek began his law enforcement career working for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control as an investigator. While working there, Derek honed his skills as an undercover officer while working cases involving prostitution, drugs, stolen goods and selling alcohol to minors.

In 1990, Derek was hired by the DEA and was assigned to the San Diego Field Division where he remained for his career.  

During his time in San Diego, Derek was assigned to general enforcement investigations, maritime smuggling, outdoor marijuana grow operations and to the task force for 19 years which gave him his lifelong goal of always being on the street.

Derek retired as a Group Supervisor of the Technical Operations group where he ensured that things such as concealed video and audio recorders as well as covert cameras were always available to agents in the field to support investigations for successful prosecution.

Short stories with Officer Fox guest starring Officer Perryman

Interview with retired Pinehurst Chief of Police Tami Holdahl

Years of Service: 1999-2022

Tami began serving her small community as an EMT. Following a traumatic event, she quit being an EMT and was quickly recruited to be a reserve officer and remained in law enforcement for over 23 years.

Over the course of her career, Tami worked for several different law enforcement agencies to include two Tribal Police Departments the Couer d'Alene and Kalispel Tribal Police. Tami eventually was offered the job of Chief of Police for the Pinehurst Police Department.

During this interview, Tami discusses her career including the challenges of working on Indian Reservations as well as what it was like working in small towns where she had to deal with some of the same people multiple times.

Tami also discusses her current campaign to run for the Idaho House of Representatives District 2 Seat B and a few of the important issues she would like to see implemented. Tami finishes the interview by discussing how law enforcement affected her family and if her views on people and society changed over the course of her career.

For those wishing to contact Tami, she can be reached at [email protected]. https://www.tamiholdahl-idaho.com/