The Ronan City Council meeting last week, for one officer, was a homecoming.

Corey White, 26, was sworn in by Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver during the July 2 meeting.

“You can make a difference,” he said, after his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years, Brittany Hortin, pinned his badge to his uniform.

He said he was surrounded by law enforcement, going on ride-alongs, and having friends and family in local agencies, which helped guide him to his calling. “It just kind of caught me,” White said.

White left the RPD in October of 2017 to join the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and soon after he said he realized his home was with the Ronan office.

There are several things that White looks forward to, including helping to identify DUIs (driving under the influence) and making a bigger difference in a smaller, concentrated area.

“When I was here before, I actually had already ready out to me, to thank me for saving her life,” he said.

White recalled that the woman was thinking of taking her own life when they happened to cross paths, and it was his compassion that helped her through a difficult time.

“All she needed was a hug, and I gave it to her,” he said. Now, he makes sure to check on her from time to time.

Being a hero to someone is “reassuring,” as officers tend to deal with all kinds of situations.

Thinking back to that one woman, White said it inspires him to keep doing his job.

White has been in law enforcement for three-and-a-half years, previously working as an undersheriff at Golden Valley County Sheriff’s Office before his first stint with RPD.

Also earning a badge at the metting was the department’s K-9, Sandor.

Assisting the dog was his handler, Officer Brandon Smith. Together, the two crouched to the ground as Smith grabbed Sandor’s paw, signing an oath to protect Ronan.

Currently, there are five officers, Sandor and three reserve officers with RPD.