Idaho and Idaho Falls honor peace officers

Flags were being flown at half-staff across the United States Monday in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The memorial began in 1962 to pay tribute to peace officers who lost their lives or became disabled in the line of duty. Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden will award the Idaho Medal of Honor to three peace officers Monday for performing with exceptional courage and bravery while protecting the public. The three recipients are Sgt. Greg Moore, of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and Sgt. Kyle Moore and Chief Deputy Mike Barclay of the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Greg Moore will be honored posthumously. “Their actions exemplify what it means to be an Idaho peace officer,” said Wasden. “I would like to commend Chief Deputy Barclay and Sgt. Kyle Moore for risking their personal safety while protecting the public in a very dangerous situation. Sgt. Greg Moore’s selection as a recipient also highlights his career of brave and dutiful public service and is something his family and friends can be very proud of.” In a news release, Wasden explained: “Early in the morning on May 5, 2015, Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore was patrolling an area where several car break-ins had been reported. Sgt. Moore stopped a suspicious male and radioed the man’s information to dispatch, but made no further radio contact. A citizen heard gunshots and found Sgt. Moore wounded in the street. He died several hours later. Chief Deputy Barclay and Sgt. Kyle Moore were responsible for ending a scenario that endangered motorists on Interstate 84 on August 2, 2016. Around 8 o’clock that morning, police received a report of a residential burglary and stolen vehicle in Hammett. Officers Barclay and Moore began a search for the suspect. Soon, the suspect was located and a high-speed chase ensued. The suspect would later abandon the vehicle and point a gun at passing motorists in an attempt to carjack their vehicles. After aggressively attempting to enter another vehicle by trying to smash the window with his gun, the suspect turned his gun on the officers. In order to protect their own lives and ensure the safety of the public, the deputies fired at the suspect, resulting in his death.” The Idaho Falls Police Department will commemorate National Police Week with a Memorial Service at 6 p.m. at the Bonneville County Courthouse, 605 N. Capital in Idaho Falls. The event will include a tribute to Officer Leen VanHulten, who passed away in February 2017. VanHulten served the city of Idaho Falls for 24 years as a patrol officer and District 91 school resource officer.