He's not the story-telling type, but Mikell (pronounced Michael) Hogan is famous for being the first armed guard to protect and serve a school in the state of Idaho.

"A 'school resource officer' is a sworn law enforcement officer employed by a police agency and assigned to the schools," he explained. "An SRO wears a police uniform. An SRO can be re-assigned back to patrol at any time by their agency as needed. I'm not an SRO. I am an 'armed guard' and work directly for the Lakeland Joint School District and am assigned to Athol Elementary School. I was hired last November after a very stringent selection process."

A local TV news crew interviewed him in 2018 after he was recruited for the position and reported the people at Athol Elementary call it one of the safest grade schools in North America.

"I thought to myself that I like people, believe in the cause, and would make a good candidate," he said. "Additionally, I thought that even if I didn't get the job, whoever they hired would be even more awesome than I."

Hogan was born at Fort Belvoir, Va. His father was in the Navy, so he and his family traveled all over the East Coast and even lived in Italy for a while. When his dad retired in 1980, the family moved to Missouri, where Hogan graduated from high school, the first in his family to do so.

Although he doesn't have a college degree, Hogan had plenty of education. He attended Southwest Missouri State University, Southwest Missouri Baptist University, Santa Fe Community College, Southwest New Mexico State University and San Juan Community College before joining the New Mexico State Police in 1988. He has extensive training from the State Police Academy in Santa Fe. He retired from the New Mexico State Police as a sergeant in 2010.

He's written tens of thousands of citations. He's heard all the excuses for when he's caught people speeding.

"The best ones, to me, were always the truth, such as taking someone to the hospital or a pet to the vet for an emergency," he said.

He's not afraid to pull over said offenders.

"My training was extensive, including some at the Department of Energy and instructors from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center," Hogan said.

The best parts of his job?

"Too many to reflect on," he said. "Receiving my commission, helping countless people, being silly, getting promoted, it's all in there."

His worst days have usually involved loss of life, including children and friends, and dealing with irate people.

He said the best place to grab a late night meal or cup of coffee is at home, and he truly enjoys providing a place for Athol's kids to learn where they're protected and safe.

Off duty, he likes to work around his property, spend time with friends and be outdoors.