Veterans Treatment Court honors mentors
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 hours, 5 minutes AGO
First District Judge Tristan Poorman cuts into a cake alongside Bat Masterson, the Kootenai County Veteran Treatment Court's first Mentor of the Year, at Seasons of Coeur d'Alene. Photo courtesy of Joe Deacon.
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | November 11, 2026 1:00 AM
Leave no man behind.
That concept is central to many service members and one they carry with them even after they leave the military. It's especially true for the mentors who volunteer with Kootenai County's Veterans Treatment Court.
"They are the heart of the program," said Joe Deacon, the program's mentor coordinator. "They're people who come from all different services and backgrounds. The common theme is that they want to help their fellow veterans who got in trouble with the law."
Veterans Treatment Court is for veterans with a drug or alcohol dependency or a mental health or trauma-related condition. The specialty court is tailored to support participants who have experienced trauma. Treatment providers and staff are veterans, as are the mentors who are matched with participants.
People connected to Veterans Treatment Court, including participants, mentors and court staff, gathered Friday night at Seasons of Coeur d'Alene for a thank-you dinner, the first since the program launched about two years ago.
The event honored the volunteer mentors and other staff. Bat Masterson received the new Mentor of the Year award, and Deacon was in for a surprise: the unveiling of the Joe Deacon Excellence Award, which will be handed out annually.
Deacon said mentors are an important part of the program's success, giving their mentees encouragement and a listening ear.
"(Mentors) help them stay on track during this arduous 18-month process," he said.
Though all mentors served in the military, they bring unique experiences and perspectives.
"They take it seriously," said Deacon, who served in the Air Force and later worked as an attorney.
Veterans Treatment Court is seeking new mentors. Volunteers are expected to attend court hearings that can last up to two hours twice a month and are encouraged to spend additional time with their mentors.
Deacon said compassionate individuals who love the veteran community make great mentors.
"It takes quite a bit of empathy to get these people through this process and graduate and then celebrate their sobriety and their return to normal family life," he said.
Veterans who are interested in volunteering as mentors can contact Deacon via email for more information: [email protected].
ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH
Trial begins for man accused of mother's murder
Surveillance footage, financial records at center of case against Coeur d'Alene defendant
Neil F. Stratton, 53, of Coeur d'Alene, is charged with first-degree murder, burglary and destruction of evidence, all felonies, in connection with the 2025 death of his mother, 77-year-old Susan Stratton.
Veterans Treatment Court honors mentors
Bat Masterson received the new Mentor of the Year award
Leave no man behind. That concept is central to many service members and one they carry with them even after they leave the military. It's especially true for the mentors who volunteer with Kootenai County's Veterans Treatment Court.
Kootenai County sees high voter turnout
Amid high voter turnout in Tuesday's general election, Kootenai County election staff said voting equipment upgrades sped up tabulation.