6. Council Recognition - Retirement - Police Officer Chris ChristensonREPORT:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Kalispell
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Frank Gamer, Chief of Police
Retirement
Department
MEETING DATE: August 5, 2002
BACKGROUND: Sergeant Chris Christenson has elected to retire after over 22 years
of service. Attached is a letter of recognition.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The department recommends the council recognize
Sergeant Chris Christenson for his years of service.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: As recommended by council.
Chief of Police
CLA.
Chris Kukulski
City Manager
Frank Gamer, Chief of Police •Jim Brown, Ass[. Chief of Police • KPD phone (406) 758-7780, FAX (406) 758-7799
a,�:ryz 312 IstAvc. East, Kalispell. MT59901 °OLC
The Kalispell
July 31, 2002 Department
City Manager Chris Kukulski
312 1 ' Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Dear Chris,
Effective August 31, 2002 Sergeant Chris Christenson has elected to retire from the
Kalispell Police Department after over 22 years of service. Chris came to the department in 1980
from the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and with a degree in police science and as a veteran of
the United States Army.
Sergeant Christenson was twice awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam. In
both instances Sergeant Christenson displayed incredible bravery during firefights with the
enemy that received special recognition from his superiors.
Chris's file is filled with letters of appreciation and commendation from members of the
community and the department. In his tenure he served as a patrol officer and was our first full-
time member of the drug task force. Chris was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and has served two
separate assignments in the Detective Division. He has served as our operations commander in
critical incidents and as our bomb disposal technician for many years.
One of the most telling memories I have of Chris doesn't involve one of his thousands of
arrests or heroic feats but rather involves a vagrant and his dog. One evening Sergeant
Christenson encountered a vagrant, accompanied by a dog, who was new to our area with all of
his worldly possessions in small pack. Chris learned the man was destitute and hungry, as was
his companion, and had no visible means of support. Chris went to his own home and returned to
give the man some of his own food and money. He helped him feed his dog and sent him on his
way with a helping hand and a better chance at tomorrow.
With all of his professional accomplishments I am most grateful for the compassion the
Chris taught me and the many nights, weekends and holidays Chris spent working away from his
family so that the rest of us could be home safe with ours. Sergeant Christenson has served this
department with tenacity, devotion, compassion and character for over 22 years. He deserves our
appreciation for a job well d ne and our best wishes for he and his family in his retirement.
Sincerely,
Frank Gamer
Chief of Police
�
*0 Frank Garner, Chief of Police •Jim Brown, Asst. Chief of Police • [iPD phone (406) 758-7780, FAX (406) 758-7799 OR�
312 1et Ave. Fast, Kalispell. MT59901 re