Towing company dedicates rig to local first responders
<p>A Ford F-450 tow truck from ATRN Towing and Recovery was dedicated on Wednesday to fallen first responders in Idaho.</p>
<p>Matt Mayo, owner of ATRN Towing and Recovery, stands beside the company's tow truck dedicated to fallen first responders on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Law enforcement officials from Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Idaho State Police, Rathdrum, Kootenai County Sheriff's office and the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department pose on Wednesday during a ceremony for an ATRN Towing and Recovery tow truck, center, that is dedicated to fallen first responders.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Local emergency responders killed or injured in the line of duty won't be forgotten when one ATRN Towing and Recovery truck comes to the rescue.
The Rathdrum tow company on Wednesday unveiled its hero-dedicated truck to representatives of area law enforcement and fire agencies.
ATRN staff and CW Wraps in Post Falls collaborated on the truck's patriotic wrap.
It features the Guns 'n Hoses logo used during fundraisers showing a police officer, a firefighter and the call numbers for late Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore; former CPD Officer Michael Kralicek, who survived being shot; and late Idaho State Police Trooper Linda Huff.
"They are out risking their lives in the middle of the night while many of us are sleeping," said ATRN owner Matt Mayo, referring to why the company decided to dedicate the truck to such responders. "People take that for granted. Sometimes law enforcement in general gets a bad rap and that isn't always fair."
This week is National Police Week, which honors and remembers law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.
"We want (the truck) to be seen around the community and will put it to work," Mayo said.
The rig's unveiling was attended by representatives of CPD, Coeur d'Alene Fire, Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, Idaho State Police, Post Falls Police and Rathdrum Police.
Mayo was a student at Lakes Middle School when Moore was a school resource officer there. He later went on a ridealong with Moore.
"He was happy-go-lucky, but he could also be serious in 2 seconds," Mayo said of Moore. "He was respected."
Mayo said the decorated truck started out as a dedication to Moore, but grew to include others who died or were shot in the line of duty.
The truck also includes the phrase "All gave some; Some gave a lot" and a metal plate on the back that states, "Gone but not Forgotten" and Moore's K27 call number.
Mayo declined to disclose what it cost to decorate the truck.
"It's not about the money," he said.
ATRN manager Stephan Nylander said tow companies have relationships with emergency agencies because they are called to accident scenes as well.
"We work hand-in-hand with law enforcement so we wanted to show our support," Nylander said.
CPD Capt. Steve Childers said the dedicated truck is appreciated by responders.
"The support of public safety in general means a lot," Childers said.