A Kalispell police officer who fought pancreatic cancer and then returned to work, rather than take a medical disability option, has been named Montana’s officer of the year by two organizations.
Sgt. John Ortiz received the award from the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police and the Montana Police Protective Association. Ortiz has been with the Kalispell Police Department for 17 years.
The associations’ annual conference took place last week in Kalispell.