Six-star sergeant's final patrol is New Year's Eve

Sgt. Allen Bardwell has spent more than half of his life working in law enforcement and most of that has been with the Kalispell Police Department. At the end of the year, he’ll pack up his uniform and go back to civilian life in this town where he was born and has spent three decades protecting.

“This is still a beautiful place to live. I raised my family here. People feel safe in this community — that is the best yardstick we can use. When the community feels safe, we are doing our job,” Bardwell said.

Thirty years, 19 of which were as a senior sergeant, gives a person a certain amount of perspective. It cannot be easily narrowed down, but there are four things Bardwell returns to again and again in conversations about why he chose this life: 1. The law enforcement brotherhood, 2. The times he has personally been able to be a force for good, 3. The way this town is changing — what he sees and what he hopes to see, and 4. The connection between his faith and his work.

“Frank Garner was instrumental to me. He liked to say, ‘a leader is always trying to train their replacement.’ I hope I’ve left that behind as my legacy,” Bardwell said.

Bardwell has served with four police chiefs, including Ad Clark, Frank Garner, Roger Nasset and now Doug Overman.

“Allen is one of those special officers; he has genuine passion for the work and a deep sense of duty. I’d gladly have him continue to serve,” Overman said. “In my twenty years the only thing that hasn’t changed is Allen. He has an overwhelming sense of commitment to the team. If we have to call out for extra officers at 2 a.m. he’ll come in. Every time. He will always put the team first.”

“I hope I have left behind the example to be human, the talk to people, to always remain caring,” said Bardwell. “One of the best things I’ve seen change in my 30 years is the way people now make a point to thank veterans, and to thank police officers. That’s the little pat on the back that these men and women in law enforcement need. It’s the reminder that people love us. They are the reason we do what we do.”

Bardwell admits there are days that aren’t easy. There are times when the burden of angry curses and belligerent voices determined to pick a fight way heavy on the soul. “We have to remind ourselves that we deal with five percent of the population. The other 95 percent are either our supporters, or at least are law abiding citizens.” Minutes after saying this, Bardwell, in his uniform, stepped up to pay for coffee and a bear claw at Wheat Montana. A woman waiting for her order asked if she could pay for his order as a small thank-you.

Bardwell has his own collection of dramatic moments, both good and bad, that he’s lived through in his 30 years. The Fernwell Apartment fire in 1993 stands out. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for that one. He and officer Rick Parker kicked in a lot of doors getting people safely out of that building and not counting the risk they faced.

There are countless other stories.

“I remember one time I was out with my family at a restaurant and a teenage girl started to choke at the table across from us. A gentleman was performing the Heimlich maneuver, trying to save her. I told him I’m a police officer and asked if he’d like my assistance. He literally threw her into my arms.” Bardwell was able to save the girl. He recalled that they wrote letters and wanted to get him officially recognized. The memories make him smile.

“When you do something like that, that’s what all the training is really about. About being in the right place, at the right time, with the right skills. I always pray, ‘Give me the strength to make the right decision.’ You’ll see a lot of officers wearing the red medal, it’s for life-saving. They are always saving someone’s life, that is just what they do.”

One of the best changes Bardwell has witnessed over the years is the increased cooperation and support between departments. He’s been called well outside his standard patrol area with calls that involve other units like the Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol, Whitefish Police and others. He’s also seen them come to Kalispell to help out. “Wherever the bad guy is, we want a good guy there with a badge. We’ll figure out who has to do the paperwork later,” said Bardwell.

While the support is wonderful, the needs of the town are changing. “We’re going to need more officers. This town is growing by leaps and bounds.” His hope is that the community will see the need and in his words, “make it right” because without the funding for more officers the chances that an officer will get hurt in the line of duty skyrocket.

“Things are changing in Kalispell. I remember my first officer-involved shooting. Since then we’ve had almost 10 more. That’s a big change,” Bardwell said. “And the burglaries,” he said with a sigh. “They’re getting a lot bolder. It used to be just unlocked vehicles, now windows are being smashed. No neighborhoods are immune. Some people who live here are still surprised to realize this is happening in our community. On one level, that’s OK because it means they feel safe. But this isn’t Mayberry by any stretch.”

Bardwell himself has been a victim of the thieves. They stole his toolbox from his truck. “I’ve offered a free steak dinner for two for anyone who comes up with my toolbox.” That’s an offer that will stand even after he’s retired.

Through it all, his faith and family have sustained him.

“We’re just mere mortals,” said Bardwell. “Years and years ago my Christian beliefs lined me up and put in honor’s way. To make the proper decision, to be there for my brother in crisis, to help the person who needs me, in all of these I simply say, ‘The Lord is my shield,’ and I go for it.”

The days for busting down doors, high-speed chases, and scenarios that demand every ounce of critical thinking his training has instilled are coming to a close. He openly admits that this is “a young man’s game.” Now he’s starting to daydream about places he’d like to visit, like England or Scotland.

He’s also looking forward to continuing in someway with the first responder community. He served with Search and Rescue for 14 years, but had to give that up when he became a sergeant.

“They made me a lifetime member;, when I get to retirement I might go back and see what I can do to help them out,” he said.

Bardwell’s final shift is the last day of the year. He’ll be out watching the roads on New Year’s Eve. When he leaves he’ll retire with a uniform that carries six stars, a rarity. Each star stands for five years of service.

A week ago, Bardwell was invited to a private ceremony within the police department where he and Det. Michelle O’Neil were honored for their combined 50 years of service. (O’Neil is also retiring.) During that ceremony he presented sergeant’s stripes to Officer Ben Sutton.

“Al has probably got the biggest heart of any member of KPD that I’ve ever served with,” Sutton said. “He defines public service. And it was a real honor for me to him pin my stripes on.”

Sutton will become a sergeant on Jan. 1. When Bardwell began he was one of only a few SWAT-certified officers in the state; he is a plank member of the Special Response Team. Sutton currently serves as a team leader of that team.

It looks like the torch has officially been passed.

Brenda Ahearn may be reached at 758-4435 or bahearn@dailyinterlake.com.