The faces were familiar, but it took a second look to identify many of Fannin County's finest that turned out in dressy evening attire Saturday night for the 1st Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.

The dinner was the brainchild of Bonham Police Department Dispatcher Megan Robinson who felt it would be a good idea to set aside an evening to honor all law enforcement personnel in Fannin County.  The best way to determine if an idea had merit is to so how many people support it.  Don't be surprised if Mrs. Robinson's idea turns into a popular annual tradition.

Megan Robinson

"I felt it was a good time to get all law enforcement together to honor their contribution to our community," Megan remarked.

The dinner, held at Legacy Gardens in Bonham, was an opportunity to enjoy wonderful fried fish, as well as give all departments and agencies operating in Fannin County as chance to get to know each other in a less stressful environment than day-to-day law enforcement duties.

Elected officials attending the event included District Judge Lauri Blake, Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson, Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore and Leonard Municipal Judge Jim McIntire.  Law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Texas Rangers, and Department of Public Safety were present, along with police officers representing Bonham, Honey Grove, Trenton, Savoy and the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center. 

Honey Grove Police Chief Mark Johnson picked this auspicious occasion to announce awards in his department.  Scotty Sewell was named Honey Grove Police Officer of the Year, while Nick Treadway was honored as Rookie of the Year in the department.

Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston introduced the featured speaker of the evening, Sherman, Texas resident FBI agent, Mike Krenek.

Chief Bankston said that, unlike many TV dramas, his department has always had a very good working relationship with the FBI.

"I have never asked for help that I didn't get it," Chief Bankston stated.  "I appreciate all they do for us."

Mike Krenek

Mr. Krenek has been assigned to the Sherman office since 1984 and he joked that he just assumes his rolodex card got stuck to the card in front of it; that would explain why the FBI let the Chicago native spend all these years in North Texas.

In a few short minutes, Krenek explained many of the tips that have allowed him to spend a successful career in law enforcement, yet, for the most part, leave that part of him behind when he walks through the front door to greet his family.  He told of another FBI agent that would occasionally let his position go to his head, only to have his ego deflated when his wife would remind him, "Gosh, that's great honey...just don't forget to take out the trash, OK?"

Krenek also pointed out that there are a lot of other professionals that must learn to deal with stress on a daily basis.  One associate, Krenek recalled, initially planned to be a teacher, but spent an entire career in law enforcement.  The man would flatly state that it was easier to occasionally face a man with a gun than a classroom of teenagers every morning. 

One of Krenek's most humorous stories started out as a very serious day that had the FBI agent questioning a murder suspect.  When the interview was over, Krenek took the tape home to see which of his tactics seemed most effective in retrospect.  No one was in the living room, so he plugged in the tape, the "game film," and studied every phrase, every reaction. He was barely cognizant of the fact that one child came and sat down beside him.  Soon the FBI agent's three kids were all studying the interview along with their father.

"Gee, Dad," one child spoke up, "you talk to him just like you talk to us!"

But all of Krenek's humor was a way to point out that there really are stresses and responses to stress that every career law enforcement professional must find healthy outlets for.  When you look at their accumulative affect, it could very well be that dealing with shift work, low pay and responsibilities that must be faced 24/7 might very well be the most dangerous part of the job.

Every societal ill, from problem drinking to divorce and suicide, takes a bigger toll on law enforcement that almost any other segment of the general population. 

This really isn't like another other job and that's why it is so important to have someone waiting for you at home, someone to listen as you nervously recall that dangerous chase or hostage crisis, someone to gently remind you of the difference between what you do and who you are.

Someone to pat you on the knee and softly say, "That's great dear...just don't forget to take out the trash." 

The evening ended with a solemn reminder just how much is at stake every time law enforcement professionals put on their uniform. 

Kenneth Moore and George Robinson

Fannin County Deputy Sheriff George Robinson presented Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore with a plaque that will be mounted in the Fannin County Jail in memory of Rahamey Mitchell.  Deputy Mitchell was responding to a domestic violence call in the early morning hours of January 7, 2007 when an automobile accident on a rain-slick road claimed his life.

Brian Wix donated Deputy Mitchell’s plaque, while Tommy Eskue and Bob Self donated the delicious fish.