Trading a sheriff's star for military badge - East Idaho News
Rexburg

Trading a sheriff’s star for military badge

  Published at  | Updated at

REXBURG — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said goodbye to one of their own today as he prepares for deployment with the Air National Guard based out of Great Falls, Montana.

Officer Chad Brokens will be going to the Middle East on a support mission for six months. He serves as a Crew Chief on the C-130 airplanes.

“I love the camaraderie I have with the guys I work with in both the Sheriff’s Office and The Air National Guard. I’m really looking forward to getting to know my job better duties better,” Brokens said.

The sheriff’s office held a send-off event for Brokens Tuesday. Madison County Sheriff Roy Klingler said it’s important to recognize all of the men and women who serve the country — both in law enforcement and the military.

“I thank Chad Brokens and his family, it can’t be easy leaving your family and loved ones and going to a foreign country to serve, and it can’t be easy seeing your husband or father go away for such a long period of time, especially knowing he might not return,” Klingler said. “May God bless Chad Brokens and all others who serve and protect and sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom.”

This won’t be the first time Brokens has been deployed. He signed up for the U.S. Army right out of high school and spent time in both the Middle East and Cuba. After four years, he took a break for almost 15 years.

chad_brokens01
Nichole Stanford, EastIdahoNews.com

“I drove truck in the army so that’s what I did when I came home. Then I started working in law enforcement in American falls and eventually worked in Teton, St. Anthony and now Madison County. When I was working for the smaller departments, they didn’t offer benefits for my family. So that’s when we decided I should join back up,” Brokens said.

Great Falls offered him everything he needed to make the 5-hour drive worthwhile. He has worked there long enough now that he could probably transfer a little closer to home, but he really likes his unit.

“I could transfer to any base now, but I really enjoy the guys I work with and the job I get to do. We’ve thought about going back into active duty full time, but we just feel that we want to raise our family here in Sugar City. We love the town and the schools. The money would be better, but this is where we want to be with our kids,” Brokens said.

He said that the hardest part about serving is leaving his wife Kat and six kids back home who are very proud of him, but know that it is going to be a tough six months.

“Chad is a husband, a father, an employee. He has lots of responsibilities and duties, but most of all, he’s my best friend and to have to say goodbye to your best friend for that long about rips your heart out,” Kat said.

They feel lucky to be able to Skype and communicate over the Internet.

“He is a very hands-on dad and very involved with his kids lives. When he is gone, there’s a huge hole left in our family.”

They both agree that it is the fact that their kids are so close and understand that family comes first that allows him to leave and know they will be fine.

“Chad serves in our community in law enforcement and he serves our country in the Air National Guard. He is a pretty great guy whose life revolves around service, and our kids get to be raised by this man. What a great example to them,” Kat said.

Brokens will return to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office as soon as his unit returns and completes their assigned mission.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION