Libby's Watson honored for career in law enforcement

Longtime Montana Probation and Parole officer Steve Watson was honored by the state Department of Corrections during a December ceremony.

Watson, who works out of the Libby office, has been on the job since 2001.

At the Dec. 9, Watson and 18 other officers were recognized during the first Montana Department of Correction’s Probation and Parole Awards Ceremony. 

Watson was honored with the Chief’s Award.

“Our Probation and Parole officers work extremely hard in communities across Montana every day,” said DOC Director Eric Strauss. “Everyone who was recognized stepped up in a time of need to ensure public safety. We’re proud to have folks like this representing the DOC across the state.”

Awards covered four categories: Community Partner, Life Saving, Valor and Chief’s Award.

“I was surprised when I learned that I would be receiving the award, but I felt appreciated by the community I work in,” said Watson. “I also realized that I had a lot of support from colleagues in the Kalispell Region and in the Libby Office. It was a cool experience to receive the award at the ceremony in Helena. My wife and two boys were able to come to the ceremony so it will be a great family memory as well.”

The following officers were recognized with the Life Saving Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery, skill or service in saving or attempting to save a human life. 

Billings P&P officers Kayla Zidak, Jonathan Ford, Matthew Lockard, Adrianna Swick-Newell and Danielle Row administered lifesaving aid to an offender while doing a home check. 

The second award was presented to Great Falls P&P officers Rachel Kaeser and Tony Spencer who also administered lifesaving aid to an offender who was found unresponsive. 

The Valor Award recognized an act of exceptional courage, bravery, or heroism that goes above and beyond the call of duty, often involving extreme personal danger and a risk to one’s own life to save or protect others. 

Officers Andruw Sovereign, Abanoub Atwan, Nathan Betz, Nathan Hartnett, Landon Lamb, Rebecca Bracken and Major Andrew Garmer were recognized for responding to an active shooter incident at the Helena courthouse in March 2025. 

Probation Officers Leslie Watts and Neava Hall received the Valor Award for their efforts in negotiating with an offender to turn himself in safely after calling in a bomb threat to the local Department of Health and Human Services office. 

Officers Darin Allen and Shawn Heidrick, who are members of the U.S. Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force, aided in the search for a man suspected of shooting four people at a bar in Anaconda. 

Additionally, the Probation and Parole Bureau recognized Courtney Saska of Hosanna Assisted Living with the Community Advocate Award.