A place for heroes to relax
KEITH COUSINS/Press Idaho State Police Capt. John Kempf and ISP Cpl. Chuck Robnett pose with pastors Jonathan and Raydeane Owens of Heart of the City Church in Coeur d’Alene. The Owenses accepted an award Friday honoring the church for the creation of its First Responders Room, which gives emergency personnel a quiet place out of the public eye to take a break or have a meal.
KEITH COUSINS/Press Idaho State Police Cpt. John Kempf, ISP Sgt. Ron Sutton, along with Blaine and Mary Jane Bennett, pose with Trooper Holly Branch during an award ceremony Friday. Branch was the innaguarl recipient of the Kevin Bennett Officer of the Year award, named after the Bennetts’ son.
By KEITH COUSINS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — When Capt. John Kempf asked a room filled with Idaho State Police personnel if they have ever used the First Responders Room at Heart of the City Church, hands throughout the room raised.
“There’s no catch to it, no one is trying to pull you into anything,” said Cpl. Chuck Robnett. “It’s a great place to just get out of the public eye and take a break.”
Jonathan and Raydeane Owens, lead pastors at Heart of the City Church in Coeur d’Alene, were honored Friday at ISP’s District 1 headquarters for creating the room, which allows first responders throughout the county a chance to have a snack and take a break in a comfortable setting. The honors were a part of an employee and community appreciation ceremony, which Kempf said was created this year at District 1, which covers North Idaho.
“It’s important to recognize the accomplishments of our employees and those who support us,” Kempf told The Press after the ceremony.
ISP personnel were responsible for nominating the award-recipients, and Kempf said he received many nominations for Heart of the City Church.
“We would like to express our appreciation for what this church does for us and other law enforcement agencies,” Kempf said. “Their First Responders Room is a place where our troopers can drop in, have a meal and relax for a while in the company of other first responders, and we want take this opportunity to thank them.”
Constructing the First Responders Room, open to emergency personnel 24/7, was one of the first priorities the church had when it moved into its new building, Raydeane said. Completion of the room, Jonathan added, involved the entire community supporting the project through donations and volunteering.
“We were very motivated to make sure our first responders know how grateful we are,” Raydeane said.
“We’re a city church and we want to serve the city,” added Jonathan.
Trooper Holly Branch received the final award of the ceremony — the Kevin Bennett Officer of the Year award — for her dedication to serving the community and the way she honors the profession.
Naming the award after Bennett — a former ISP sergeant who died of cancer at 36 — was an easy decision, Kempf said. When Kempf came onboard in Coeur d’Alene, he said he would always hear anecdotes and stories about Bennett's service, dedication and hard work.
“If we were going to model what we want in one of our troopers, Kevin would be the embodiment of that model,” he added.
Bennett’s parents, Blaine and Mary Jane, were at the ceremony and shared a handshake and hug with Branch after she received the award.
“It’s something that really means a lot to us, to have Kevin remembered in this way,” Blaine said. “He will not be forgotten.”
“This is a gift, to have his memory stay alive,” added Mary Jane.
Other award recipients were Sgt. Ron Sutton, who was awarded supervisor of the year. Lisa Correia received employee of the year, and ISP Chaplain Anita Kronvall received the District 1 Appreciation award.