Crystal Denton named Idaho 2021 Communication Center Director of the Year

BONNERS FERRY — Dispatch Supervisor Crystal Denton has been recognized as the Idaho 2021 Communication Center Director of the Year.

Sheriff Dave Kramer, who submitted Denton for the award, said it reflects her many years of public service not only to the community, but to other places where she has worked as a dispatcher.

Denton’s career in law enforcement began in 1990 as a volunteer dispatcher in Troy, Mont. In 1994, she was hired as a temporary/seasonal dispatcher in Bonners Ferry before she moved with her family to southwest Missouri in 1996 where she worked as a dispatcher in Perry County. She worked again for Troy dispatch in 1999, and in 2002, joined the Boundary County team.

Since joining the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, Denton said she has been able to broaden her career by working within the civil section, Marine Division and administrative office until the 911 administrator position was created.

She said that being a dispatcher has allowed her to be the voice on the phone when someone is calling in their worst times. This means ensuring that all responders are directed as needed or simply assisting someone with a phone number.

“Even in the worst of times just being a voice is sometimes all a person needs to move them onto the next moment in their disaster,” Denton said.

She said this career has molded her and has allowed her to be more compassionate, but strong and determined when necessary.

“I can't imagine my life anywhere else than where I have been and continue to travel,” she said.

Denton said she has grown up in this career and it has grown with her, from fresh out of high school, to newly married and having her first child, to now having three adult children, four grandchildren and married for almost 33 years.

Through the years a person really does acknowledge work as a home away from home, Denton said.

“I have been very blessed that I have had a supportive family at home as well as at the office,” she said.