POLSON — Lake County law enforcement, firefighters and “distinguished citizens” were honored on Jan. 9 at the Elk’s Lodge in Polson as the Marine Corps League Hellroaring Detachment 1041  (MCL) presented awards to outstanding officers in their respective fields.

“‘Atta-boys’ go a long way” MCL Adjutant Manager John Miller said, “These are the people out there doing their jobs and improving our communities.”

Miller, a Marine and former law enforcement officer, co-founded Lake County’s  MCL detachment, and was the organizer of the event.

“There was a really good turnout this year for law enforcement applicants.” Miller said.

This was the reason behind the number of the detachment’s honorable mentions, these include; Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Terrance Rosenbaum, Flathead Tribal Police Officers  Benjamin Asencio and William Mesteth, Flathead Tribal Communications Officer Cassi Corum, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Diaz, Lake County Communications Officer Christine Trogden, Candace Kugler and Anna Wright.

The awardees are nominated by their supervising officers, and all Lake County law enforcement and firefighters are eligible. This is both the Finley Point Fire/Yellow Bay Volunteer Fire Department and Polson Police Department’s second year  winning the award.  

Assistant Fire Chief Rob Morigeau was nominated by Finley Point Fire Chief Chris Ricciardi.

“Rob [Morigeau] is an outstanding firefighter, he participates in everything,”  Ricciardi said.  [Morigeau won the Finley Point Fire Department’s  award for answering the most  fire calls in 2011—23 out of 26.]  

 “The best firefighters are knowledgeable and are able to read people, not send them into harm’s way.”  

Ricciardi said. “I am in charge of operations but it is Rob’s job to keep everything going and get the job done on the scene.”   

Polson Police Detective Juan Maso won the award for the detachment’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. His commanding officer, Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said that he nominated Maso for his “extreme professionalism.” Nash said, “He believes in the community and the department he serves.”

Mauri Morin was also awarded at the event, as the detachment’s Distinguished Citizen.

Miller said “Mauri  received the award this year because he shows continual support to the Hellroaring 1041 detachment.”

Miller said that the MCL first presented the awards in 2011 to make people aware of all that these officers do:

“Nobody recognizes these people and I believe it is important that we do.”