Cascade County recognizes NCO for efforts to combat drunk, impaired driving

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A Malmstrom NCO was among four recognized by Cascade County's DUI Task Force for their efforts in combating drunk and impaired driving in 2008. 

The dedication of Staff Sgt. Mikeal Peirce, 341st Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of police services, along with Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Scott Waddell, Cascade County Sherriff's Deputy Matt Darlington, and Great Falls Police Department Officer Shane Daniels were highlighted during the 7th Annual Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony May 26 at the Great Falls Pre-Release Center. 

Al Recke, Cascade County DUI Task Force coordinator, said he and the rest of the task force appreciated what the four law enforcement officers have done to make Cascade County safer for everyone. 

"You are out at two or three o'clock in the morning putting your lives on the line for our safety," Mr. Recke said. "We wanted to take this opportunity to recognize them for making DUI stops, dealing with the drunk drivers and the belligerent people. 

"We realize that you make the stops, you initiate the probable cause, you deal with people with less than civil and sometimes hostile behavior," he continued. "You have to conduct field sobriety testing, make the arrests and articulate those arrests in court, and then try to convince the jury that the person was driving under the influence or impaired. It's not an easy job." 

Sergeant Peirce said he was proud to get recognized.
"It's a real honor to win this award and stand alongside some of the finest law enforcement officers in this county," Sergeant Peirce said. 

Last year, the sergeant was solely responsible for all coordination with the Great Falls Police Department involving the training and certification of 20 Malmstrom Airmen on the Intoxilyzer and Standard Field Sobriety Test (INTOX) 8000 and 13 more in standard field sobriety testing. 

The NCO said the award was special because it represents a community effort to combat DUIs throughout Cascade County. 

"This is a community award," Sergeant Peirce explained. "It represents the hard work done on- and off-base to prevent DUIs," the sergeant said. 

Maj. Jason Long, 341st SFS commander, gave the NCO high regards. 

"Staff Sgt. Peirce exemplifies the positive relationship between Malmstrom Air Force Base and the three local police departments," Major Long said. "He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure base patrols are trained to detect impaired drivers, keeping the streets safe for our Airmen and their families." 

Sergeant Peirce said he enjoys the interaction with off-base law enforcement agencies.
"It's a great job," he said. "It's nice to have a job like this."