Sheriff Dave Kramer voted Best Police Officer

BONNERS FERRY — When it was time for the community to vote for their favorite Police Officer, Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer was chosen as their No. 1 pick. Kramer became the Sheriff of Boundary County in January of 2017, but he has worked other law enforcement positions in Boundary County for many years.

Kramer got his first taste of working in law enforcement when he was an Explorer scout with the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office when he was 15 years old. He had the opportunity to ride along with deputies, and he was immediately drawn to what he considered a challenging and rewarding career.

“I really enjoyed the experience and it led me to go to college and study criminal justice,” said Kramer. “While attending college for law enforcement, I would work during the summer for the Sheriff’s office doing forest service patrol checks of the campgrounds.”

Following college, Kramer was hired by the Bonners Ferry Police Department. After about 10 years, he had worked his way up to the position of Police Chief and remained there for another two decades before retiring.

After retirement, he continued to stay on as a Reserve Officer, then went to work part time for North Idaho College working at the Police Academy and teaching criminal justice courses for the college. He did a five month stint as Interim Police Chief for the City while they looked for a new Police Chief.

“The Kootenai Tribe then contacted me to see if I would be interested in filling in with their police department while they attempted to fill a position, and I worked as a Tribal police officer for almost two years until I was elected Sheriff,” said Kramer. “It has been a great career, and I have enjoyed amazing training opportunities over the years.”

When talking about what inspired him to run for Sheriff, Kramer explained that this is the community that he grew up in, and he wanted to make a difference for the area and people that he loves.

“I felt that my career had given me the experience and leadership that could make a difference and bring some positive changes to our Sheriff’s Office, while continuing my good working relationship with all of our other law enforcement partners in the area,” said Kramer.

Creating a law enforcement network has been one of the goals that Kramer set forth when he became Sheriff. Having good communication and cooperation between the agencies is something that has grown under his encouragement and implementation of policies, such as cross deputization.

“It is like an extended family, like all families, sometimes you do not always agree, but you are all there for the same purpose to make a difference in a positive way for our county and to set differences aside and work closely together for a common goal of serving the people of our county with honor and integrity,” explained Kramer. “It takes all of us working together to make a difference.”

Kramer enjoys the close working relationship that has developed with other local law enforcement, neighboring law enforcement agencies, probation, courts and prosecutors, and first responders. He also attributes the success to the men and women that work as part of the Sheriff’s Office, including the Reserve Deputies that volunteer their time.

“We have a great group of men and women that work at the Sheriff’s Office and I am proud to serve with them,” said Kramer. “We have made some great changes and there are more that we hope to accomplish. It has been exciting and challenging, and I can’t believe how fast the time has gone.”

When watching the national news and seeing how much law enforcement is under attack in other places around the country, Kramer notes how much support the local community gives to both law enforcement and first responders.

“Boundary County is very supportive of law enforcement; we see it in so many ways and it is appreciated,” he said.

“You never know what the day will bring, and it is a career where you truly do have an opportunity many times to make a difference in someone’s life,” said Kramer about his career. “Law enforcement is teamwork and trying to make situations better in other people’s lives. I have had a lot of great mentors over the years.”

When the badge comes off, Kramer likes to spend his time outdoors with family and friends. He enjoys riding his ATV or his dual sport motorbike throughout Boundary County, and he and his wife take advantage of the beauty of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge on foot and on bicycles.

“I feel blessed to be able to live and work in such a special place as Boundary County,” said Kramer. “My wife Andrea and I have had the opportunities to travel to many parts of the world, and we always appreciate our home in Boundary County, there is no place else we would rather live.”

“I appreciate the confidence of all those that voted for me, and see it as a reflection of all of the men and women that work for the Sheriff’s Office and not just me,” Kramer said. “It is greatly appreciated, I value the community’s trust and support.”