Shield 616 is a group of riders who come from the ranks of first responders.  The group of over forty individuals came from a number of locations throughout Idaho and Utah and elsewhere throughout the west to accomplish two main goals: to raise funds in support of first responders, including police, fire, ambulance, and others, and to memorialize those who have fallen, according to founder Jake Skisfstad.  Melanie Verhoeven, another member of the organization, put it this way, “Luckily for me, my dad who was an officer came home safe every night, and I want everyone else to come home safe too.”  To that end, the ride was raising money to purchase rifle-resistant vests for officers across
the region.  

The group’s ride from Saint Anthony to Salt Lake passed through Malad in between two legs where it paid special honor to local fallen heroes: Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison who were killed in a June ambush, and then Sgt. Lee Sorensen and officer Eric Estrada, both with the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, who were killed last month in Tremonton/Garland. They started the ride in St Anthony and stopped in Blackfoot where they spent a night.  They then left for another leg which led them to a night stay in Malad, before the final push southward.  

While stopping in Malad, they were accommodated at the Event Center where they were fed by the Interfaith Council, and provided with cots owned by the county for emergency sheltering purposes as part of the disaster mitigation plans in place.  Members of the Interfaith Council worked to make sure that everything was in place, and that the group was provided with a dinner on Friday night and a breakfast on Saturday morning.

“Toni Werk was the primary contact, along with Sheriff Doug Williams.  The Sheriff gave Jake Skifstad the number for the Interfaith Council, and they’ve been responsible for the meals,” Brian Jeppsen said.  Jeppsen is a member of the Interfaith Council.  He also works with Emergency Services within the county.  “Last night, all the council participated.  The Lions club helped bring down the cots and set them up.”  In addition, Broulim’s donated some of the food for the event, 

“On a Tuesday prior to prayer services, I got a call from Greg Bellew from St. Anthony on my cell phone,” Toni Werk said. “I never answer my cell phone, but I happened to this time.  They were hoping to stay at the Presbyterian Church, but for it’s too small for thirty people to stay there.  So I told them we couldn’t do it, but let me see if I can get ahold of Brian and the Interfaith Council, and that’s how this blossomed.  When I mentioned it to Brian, his face lit up and he didn’t even question it.”

Marquise Mangran, from Meridian, was one of the riders who passed through. He had never been to East Idaho before, but was enjoying the experience. “Yesterday the scenery was really beautiful when we left Blackfoot down to here—gorgeous,” he said.  Asked about the day’s ride, which was in memory of the Tremonton officers, her said, “It’s always hard when you lose a brother in blue in any way, but yeah, it’s hard.  We lost one last year in Meridian, so I know a little about what they’re going through down there.  Hopefully, raising this money for armor helps with that.  But it’s a societal thing, too.  If people get better as a society, maybe we wouldn’t need policemen, and bullet proof vests.” 

Jake Skifstad extended his appreciation for all the help from those in the local community.  “This has been amazing,” he said, directing the dozens of riders as they got their gear packed up and the last bites of breakfast.

“He’s a tornado,” Werk laughed, as Jake zipped off to help load one of the vehicles.