Honoring Our Veterans: Mike Stapp (Part 2)
 | Author:
Matt Nelson
MT43 News Correspondent |
Honoring Our Veterans: Mike Stapp (Part 2) Matt Nelson This is Part 2 of Honoring Our Veterans: Mike Stapp
US Army Sergeant Mike Stapp was raised in Georgia. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves at age 17, where he worked on weapons. Two years later, he transferred to the active duty army. Once in the army, he was selected for Presidential Escort during the Reagan Administration between 1982 and 1985. Presidential Escort conducts all the ceremonies at the White House and the funerals at Arlington Cemetery. At that time, Mike was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, in the Honor Guard Company, Presidential Escort, 1st BN, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.
When Mike’s army enlistment was up in 1985 he went home to Georgia and in 1987 went into law enforcement in Rockdale County Georgia, near Atlanta. He worked as a deputy sheriff until 2007. “I did that for 20 years, 2 months, 13 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 36 seconds, but who's counting? It is strange that it turned out to be 20 years, 2 months, and 13 days because my badge number was 213.”
As a deputy, Mike worked as a criminal investigator for several years. During that time he was assigned to a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. He also investigated and arrested a convicted serial kidnapper and rapist. While Mike was working as deputy, he spent 14 years leading an underwater search and recovery team, served as POST-certified firearms, defensive tactics, and scuba instructor, and was on a SWAT team for several years. While still a deputy, Mike joined the Georgia National Guard in 1994, where he stayed until July 2003; he was honorably discharged due to health issues.
After visiting his brother in Montana, he decided to move here with his family in 2008. For seven years he worked at Fort Harrison for the Montana State Disaster Emergency Service. About five years ago Mike volunteered for the Broadwater County Search and Rescue (BCSAR) team to assist with and develop a communications plan.
Mike and his wife, Lori, have been married for 32 years, and they have two daughters. One is an RN at St. Peters in Helena and his other daughter will graduate from high school this year. Lori retired from the Department of Family and Children Services – she worked in the same capacity both in Georgia and here. She had also been a deputy in Georgia, which is where they met.
Thank you, Mike, for your service to our country and to the people of Montana.
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PhotoCredit: Matt Nelson
Image 1 Caption: Mike Stapp with the Search and Rescue vehicle
