Schoening competent to protect, lead
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Editor,
Officer Rick Schoening, a candidate for Lake County Sheriff, has been my friend since 1980. Though I reside in Salt Lake City and Rick lives in beautiful Polson, Montana, we associate several times a year and continually communicate through telephone and email. Having witnessed Officer Schoening in a variety of settings, formal and informal, I can speak for his leadership qualities. Rick is organized. Rick is disciplined. Rick is honest. Rick’s integrity is rock-solid. Rick is strikingly even-tempered and good-natured. Rick’s judgment, fairness, and steady demeanor command the respect of all who encounter him—on both sides of the law.
A recent national network television news story highlighted a police officer in Southern California who was so fair and good-natured that everyone to whom he issued a traffic citation came away smiling and agreeing that he was the most likeable cop they had ever encountered. I immediately thought of Rick, because he’s that kind of peace officer—consistently fair and agreeable.
In his former service as a Montana Fish and Game warden, Officer Schoening regularly encountered dangerous violators out in the remote wilds of Montana. When doing so, Rick was usually alone and the violators were well-armed. His interpersonal talents enabled him to defuse many high-tension situations while bringing violators to justice.
I cannot imagine Lake County citizens finding anyone more competent to protect them and to lead their Sheriff’s Office than Rick Schoening.
Thomas L. Monson
Salt Lake City, Utah
