POATELLO — The city of Pocatello and the Pocatello Police Department celebrated the recent retirement of two longtime officers, John Webster, with the department since 1985, and Sgt. Jeff Katona, a member of the force since 1987. Both men were given personal kudos by Chief Scott Marchand, as well as accolades from community leaders. The men were feted at ceremonies at city hall three days apart surrounded by friends, family, loved ones and many of the officers they served with over the years.

    "Now I do not have to sponsor any picnics for these guys since I have fee them twice this week," the chief joked. "But seriously, it's a great day for them and a sad day for us. I have had to the pleasure to work with each of these officers. Both of these men are great men and police officers and will be sadly missed."

    Webster, after serving briefly on the Aberdeen and American Falls police departments, joined Pocatello on April 1, 1985 after just a short time of considering law enforcement as a career. "I as working in a restaurant with a guy who was fired and decided to take it up himself," Webster said. "I didn't think much about it before, but I decided that might be the thing to do, so a short time later I enrolled in the ISU criminal law enforcement program."

    After growing up in Pocatello, Webster added it was a dream to be on the PPD and he felt honored to be a part of that organization. And, despite having a reputation for speaking his mind, he said that he always felt the support of other officers  and superiors around him.

    "I have just been so truly blessed," he said. "There are a lot of people who fought for me here and it's just a great group of people to work with. They have truly made this a great career for me."

    Katona, who will move to Gallup, New Mexico after his retirement, was praised by Marchand as a solid policeman and not the kind of "neon" officer who would attract attention to himself.

    "He is a guy you can count on no matter what in any situation," the chief said. "He was a tremendous supervisor who took care of his teams, especially the younger guys."

    Katona had already served eight years in the Air National Guard in Arizona before applying to and being accepted by the Pocatello PD. At 27 and a military veteran, he already had light years of real world law enforcement experience under his belt and was able to rise through the ranks quickly.

    Marchand told the assembled multitude of the sergeant's investigations on behalf of abused and neglected children in this area and the state, as well as his involvement in the Bright Tomorrows program. Bright Tomorrows Child Advocacy Center reduces the trauma of child sexual abuse in one, unique, child-friendly center. Investigative services are provided by a professional, multi-disciplinary team, which Katona helped put together a decade ago.

    "He has done so much to protect the most innocent in our community and those who cannot always protect themselves."

    Katona hopes to continue in that discipline after he moves because it is his singular passion.

    "I think that the nine years I served in that department was the best time of my career," he said. "The PPD spent a lot of time and money sending me to different schools, but I learned so much about helping and protecting children. This department has also had its ups and downs over the years, but the good moments have outweighed the bad one by far. I will miss so many people here and cherish these memories forever."

    Katona's twin brother, Cliff, a veteran of the Idaho State Police, was also on hand at the celebration. He plans to retire in September.