Montana Highway Patrol serves and protects citizens

By Bill Vander Weele

The Montana Highway Patrol features four individuals in the Wolf Point area who faithfully cover the highways throughout northeastern Montana.

“People who get in the profession have a strong desire to serve people,” Sgt. Jeff Kent said. “We get to serve and protect our communities.”

Troopers in the area are T’Elle Evans of Wolf Point, Christopher George of Glasgow and J.T. Oliver of Glasgow.

Kent has served in the Montana Highway Patrol for nearly 24 years.

“It’s one of the greatest jobs I’ve ever had,” Kent said. “There’s good days and not so good days. Overall, the good outweighs the bad.”

Evans was a recipient of the Hedstrom Award this year for going above and beyond the call of duty when she helped save a life using her first responder skills. “Talking about protecting and serving others, it was a classic example of what troopers do,” Kent said.

The Wolf Point area has been short three troopers for about the last four years.

“We’ve been basically trying to stay afloat,” Kent said.

He urges others to consider a career with the Highway Patrol.

Along with a shortage of troopers, other challenges have enforcement of drug crimes fentanyl and meth.

“There’s always new challenges and obstacles,” Kent said. “We do the best that we can to serve.”

Northeast Montana Highway Patrol Troopers (from left to right) Sgt. Jeff Kent, T’Elle Evans, J.T. Oliver and Christopher George.