2017
Region IV
Memorial Service
Officer James R. “JR” Stanley
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Served from July 13, 1965 until July 31, 1984
• Died May 22, 2016
Gerald Lee “Jerry” Winkler
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Died June 6, 2016
• Served the Patrol from July 8, 1963 to January 8, 1974
Merle “Gus” Gustafson
Montana Highway Patrol
• Died July 4, 2016
• Served with the Patrol from May 8, 1966 until December 4,
1978
• Later retired as an instructor from the Montana Law
Enforcement Academy
Detective Brent Hanger
Washington State Patrol
End of Watch: August 6, 2016
• Brent died in the line of duty after suffering a heart attack while on
assignment in Yakima County.
• Began his career with WSP on July 9, 1998.
• He received the Award of Merit in 2000 for risking his own life to assist in
saving the life of another.
• Member of the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force, working with a team
performing extremely difficult tasks and facing challenging obstacles.
• He is survived by his wife, Lisa and his children Emily, Erin, Kailey, Erik, Kyle,
and Kevin, and numerous extended family members.
Carolee Ulrich
Utah Driver License Division
• Worked for division for more than 12 years
• Passed away August 9, 2016 surrounded by family.
• Carol loved to open her home to all to fill their bellies, feel
warmth of companionship, enjoy good conversation, and be
safe from life’s challenges.
• She loved camping and enjoyed the mountains.
Leroy Crawford
South Area Manager
Utah Driver License Division
• Leroy passed away at home on August 9, 2016.
• Started with the Division in June of 1993 and stayed on for 23 years.
• His colleagues describe him as a genuine, kind and sincere person
who always had a story or experience to keep everyone laughing and
lighten the mood.
• Music was his passion and he played the piano, organ and a variety of
wind instruments, the tuba being his favorite.
Cindy Gage
Driver Services Manager for the Arizona MVD
• Born on August 16th 1956 and died August 17th 2016
• She had a passion for life and was the kindest of souls. She
had a love for animals and could often be seen in outdoors
looking at the clouds and enjoying watching the birds. She
had a love of gardening.
• Cindy was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.
Charles Eddy “Ed” Snyder
California DMV
• Passed away on October 4, 2016, at the age of 81.
• Retired in 2004, after an impressive 50 year career. Respected by his
colleagues, who bestowed him the endearing name of “Mr. DMV.”
• He was a tremendous influence on those around him. He led by
example and garnered the admiration of his peers.
• He enjoyed memorable family vacations and was a fan of classic
horror movies, westerns, and old Hollywood comedy teams. He was
fascinated with vintage airplanes and even got to pilot one. Ed loved
animals and always had dogs and cats around to keep him company.
Susan Roberts
Montana Motor Vehicle Division
• Died October 18, 2016
• 47 years with the division; longest longevity in bureau
history
Eric Dale Ellsworth
Utah Highway Patrol
End of Watch: November 22nd, 2016
• Trooper Ellsworth was responding to a report of low hanging
power lines causing a traffic hazard. He was struck by a passing vehicle and
succumbed to his injuries four days later.
• Eric had a real passion for fitness and loved to talk about meal plans and
workout regimens. He was always helping someone get into some form of
physical fitness.
• The only thing he loved more than fitness was his family. He didn't take
time off to satisfy his own hobbies; it was always for a family outing. He
took a week off work one time to go hunting and came back early to be
with his family. He once took a second job that lasted about 2 weeks
because it limited his family time.
George Harker
• George passed away suddenly but peacefully on
November 19, 2016 at the age of 79.
• He spent his career working in Edmonton and Calgary in
various government positions and finished his career as
Region IV Director with AAMVA.
• He retired to Magrath in 2000 and spent the rest of his life as a
committed member of the community, with particular interest in the
Magrath Museum in preserving the history of Magrath.
Trooper Cody James Donahue
Colorado State Patrol
End of watch: November 25, 2016
• Trooper Donahue was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle while
investigating a traffic crash on I-25
• He was an eleven year veteran of Patrol and was greatly respected by
his team mates and fellow officers
• His favorite holiday was St. Patrick's day
• Trooper Donahue is survived by his wife Velma and two children
Daniel B. Gutebier
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Passed away December 2, 2016 due to infections following
cancer treatments
• Served the Patrol from 1976 until 1993
Trooper Lynn A. Buchanan
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Served the Patrol for 23 ½ years - sworn in on January 23,
1968 and retired July 31, 1991
Victor Bond
Oregon DOT
ODOT Information Services
• Date of death – December 19, 2016 at the age of 67
• Victor was proud of his Southern Texas heritage and often talked about the ‘crazy’
weather and storms that came in from Corpus Christie.
• .Victor figured that at some point, he flew almost every large city working as a
systems programmer.
• While at DMV he worked to bring DMV’s system through many upgrades and
changes and could usually come to the rescue of most IT problems.
• If you picture an ‘old’ sage of the IT world, Victor was it, bringing more than 40
years of experience to the job.
Rose Marie Olsen
Utah Driver License Division
• 26 years of service to the DLD
• Rose passed away December 27, 2016
• She donated platelets to the Red Cross for over a decade and worked
for the military serving the troops for more than 17 years.
• She loved her dogs, lady bugs and puzzles.
• She is survived by her mother, sons, and grandbrats.
Lt. Frank E. Willems
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Passed away January 4, 2017
• Served the Patrol from September 11, 1958 until his
retirement on July 15, 1985
• Frank was a frequent visitor to the Patrol after his retirement
and was always proud to have been a part of the Patrol
• His visits and kindness were treasured.
Debra “ Debby” Sabin
Oregon DMV
Transportation Services Representative for 15 years in
Roseburg
• Date of death: February 5, 2017 at the age of 57
• Debby was known for her abundance of energy, exceptional
work ethic, and excellent customer service.
• She enjoyed spending time at the coast, and adored being a
grandmother to her two grandchildren.
Officer Lucas F. Chellew
California Highway Patrol
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 22, 2017
• Officer Chellew was killed in a motorcycle crash while pursuing
another motorcycle who had fled the scene. He was 31 years old.
• He was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the California Highway
Patrol for eight years.
• He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents and sister.
• His sister Hanna is an officer with the CHP and his father Charles is a
retired CHP Captain.
Hal Putnam
Idaho Transportation Department
• Hal passed away on February 28, 2017 at the age of 67.
• He was a valued employee of the Idaho DMV, serving as
Motor Carrier Registration Auditor and Program Supervisor
in Driver Services.
• He retired in 2012.
• Hal was active in AAMVA for many years and was well known in the
community
Niels Nielson
Utah Driver License Division
• East Area Manager until March, 2005, 23 years of service
• Passed away on March 1, 2017
• Neils had many jobs, including selling newspapers for five cents,
picking cotton, and selling insurance.
• He enjoyed taking family and friends fishing, playing trumpet,
gardening, playing games, helping people, and spending time with
family.
Mary Walton
Utah Driver License Division
• Mary died March 7 in a peaceful, spiritual experience
in her home surrounded by her family.
• Mary’s greatest joy was becoming a mother and
grandmother. Each one feels they were her favorite.
Patrolman John E. Odlin
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Died March 13, 2017
• Served from August 2, 1971 until his retirement on
November 25, 1994.
• He is remembered as a jovial spirit.
Barbara “Barb” Weber
Washington Department of Licensing
Date of Death: March 16, 2017
• Information Technology Specialist on DOL’s Help Desk
• Barbara was a valued member of the DOL since 1988. Her quick wit
and humor kept co-workers laughing and engaged. She made the
work environment positive and productive. Her upbeat personality
and funny jokes will be greatly missed.
Colonel Edwin D. Strickfaden
• Died March 16, 2017 after a wonderful life.
• Considered the “Father of the Contemporary
Idaho State Patrol”.
• Served in the U.S. Air Force prior to joining the
State Police in 1967.
• Served in various capacities and became ISP
leader in 1999.
• Searheaded the effort to reorganize the former
Idaho Department of Law Enforcement to better
serve the citizens of Idaho. His efforts led to
legislation that created the Idaho State Police in
2000.
Troopers Strickfaden and Daly
working to resolve a hostage situation
in Bonner County, 1989
With Gov. Kempthorne at the
signing of the bill that created the
Idaho State Police, 2000
J. Richard “Dick” Rennie
Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Died March 20, 2017
• Served the Patrol from January 1, 1964 until his retirement
on June 30, 1988.
• He is remembered as a very tall man with broad shoulders
and a very quiet and gentle manner.
Patrolman Kerry Keyser
• Montana Highway Patrol, retired
• Died March 26, 2017
• Served the Patrol from December 17, 1956 until his
retirement on December 31, 1981