American Legion Medicine Butte Post No. 41 recently named Evanston Police Chief Jon Kirby Officer of the Year. The award was presented by legion members Ken Johnson and Dick Burchell at a ceremony on July 26. Lt. Rhett Groll wrote the nomination letter, and Mayor Kent Williams read the letter at the ceremony. It reads in part:

“Chief Kirby started his law enforcement career in Lincoln County, Wyoming, in 1986, just before the Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis. Jon, as a new deputy, assisted with this crisis situation. In January 1991, Chief Kirby came to work for the Evanston Police Department, where he has served in many different capacities.

“Having trained, supervised, and taught almost every current officer in Uinta County and many across the great state of Wyoming, during his many years of service, Chief Kirby has built countless relationships with almost everyone he has contact with — always going above and beyond when it comes to performing his various duties, representing the City of Evanston and the Evanston Police Department in such a positive way, showing the true spirit of the community.

“Since Jon’s appointment as chief, the agency has gone through much change. Many officers have retired, followed by a newer generation of officers just starting their career. At this same time the community has faced many challenges; from large number of sexual assaults, multiple homicides, and two officer-involved shootings. Even with these challenges, under the direction of Chief Kirby, the agency was able to accomplish its mission, serve the community, and maintain a high level of professionalism, while bringing resolve. Evanston remains one of the safest communities in the state of Wyoming.

“Chief Jon Kirby is a true professional leader in our country, for his many hard years of service, dedication to law enforcement, countless hours of teaching other officers and an eagerness to serve the community.”