Seven years ago, a fire chief gave Tammy Gipe a commemorative medallion in honor of Gipe’s sister, who was one of four police officers killed in a Sunday morning cafe shooting in Lakewood, Washington.

Since then Gipe, of Kalispell, has kept the keepsake, called a challenge coin, on her nightstand as a daily reminder of the big sister she lost so abruptly.

Tina Griswold was a 14-year law enforcement veteran when her life was cut short at age 40. Gipe vowed after the tragedy to fight for the honor and safety of law officers and first responders.

Earlier this month as Gipe was participating in a walkathon to raise money for Smith Valley Fire Department, which lost equipment in an arson fire at its substation in July, she was inspired to give the coin to Smith Valley firefighters as a way of paying it forward.

“I recently felt like the coin needed a new home,” she said.

Gipe presented her keepsake to Smith Valley Fire Chief D.C. Haas.

“I went out there to volunteer and help raise some money, and they gave me so much more in return,” Gipe said. “That’s what I find with anybody in uniform. If you want to give back, you receive so much more. I want to continue that and I want people to know what great people they are.”

When Gipe’s sister was murdered on Nov. 29, 2009, the Mason County, Washington, Fire District No. 4 firefighters were among the first responders to the grisly scene.

“They all work hand in hand,” she said about first responders.

Haas, in turn, had the coin and information about Gipe’s sister framed and placed in the fire hall community room as a continuing tribute to Griswold. The special plaque includes Gipe’s personal thank-you to law enforcement officers and first responders.

“Thank you seems like such a small gesture compared to what you do every day, but it is a place to start,” Gipe wrote. “And my sister, Tina, would have wanted it this way. Since her death ... I have felt compelled to carry the torch she left behind in some way.”

The plaque also displays Griswold’s journal entry from April 16, 2009, written just months before she died.

“I feel very much that I am being prepared for some sort of service, whether it’s to a cause great or small, I don’t know,” Griswold wrote in her journal. “I can say that I feel a peaceful resolve and an inner courage that’s new.”

The journal entry reveals Griswold’s faith in God and talks about time being short. She ends it by saying “this life is short, I know where I’m going when I die and my Father has prepared my house. Amen.”

Haas said he and his volunteer firefighters were touched by Gipe’s gift.

“The story behind it, that’s the key point,” he said. “It’s very touching.

“We want to honor her sister and her story,” Haas continued. “It’s a story about how quickly tragedy can affect people, and we wanted to display it accordingly.”

The plaque is displayed in the Smith Valley Fire Hall community room that is used for voting, community gatherings and other neighborhood meetings.

“I can’t put words in her mouth, but I believe this is part of her emotional journey.” 

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.