Two patrolmen join Troy staff

Two new police officers are patrolling Troy.

The recent hires return the Troy Police Department to a full staff of three — Police Chief Bob McLeod, Officer Christopher Pape and Officer Henry Roy.

Roy, 34, comes by way of San Bernardino, Calif. A graduate of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy, Roy brings his wife of 14 years, Priscilla, and their two sons, Rey, 14, and Henry Jr., 4.

“I look forward to serving the people and community of Troy,” Roy said. “I’m looking forward not only to protecting and serving this wonderful city, but also becoming part of its community and everything it has to offer.”

Before the move, Roy worked as a college department’s Corporal of Training and Patrol. He is also an experienced police instructor in several areas, including ethics.

“I’m real excited about working together,” McLeod said. “He wants to be a small-town cop. We don’t have room for bully cops in Troy.”

Pape, 27, is a Libby High graduate. Born in Casper, Wyo., he moved to Libby with his parents before his first birthday. His wife, Serena, recently gave birth to the couple’s first child, Gavin. Christopher Pape began working with Libby Volunteer Ambulance in 2006 and continues to volunteer as an advanced emergency medical technician. He also worked at Troy Area Dispatch from 2010-2013.

“The residents here are very welcoming, polite and willing to help anyone who needs it,” Pape said. “I hope that I am able to serve this community as well as it deserves.”

Pape is the son of Misti and Howard “Corky” Pape, Libby’s road supervisor.

“Since he was in high school he wanted to be a police officer,” Misti Pape said. “He went to a junior academy in Helena, I think. It was four or five days and they showed him what pepper gas does. That was a lovely ride home with the clothes in a bag.”

A full staff has been elusive for McLeod. Not since August has the Troy Police Department been at full staff. Former officer Lori Faulkner, who was hired in May, will soon start a new job as Libby’s Victim Advocate.

“She has worked with violent crime victims in the past and showed a good calm, even demeanor when dealing with those situations,” Lincoln County Attorney Bernie Cassidy said.

Hired February from a pool of 23 applicants, Faulkner will begin work this month.