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Tom Berry was Police Chief with the Mountain Home, Idaho Police Department from September 1, 1994 to August 30, 2007. His tenure as Police Chief served three Mayors and many council member. His longivity was an excdeption to the rule in regards to the normal life of Police Chief, both in Mountain Home and in the nation.

Tom Berry had an extentsive history in Law enforcement prior to his appointment in 1994 to the position as Police Chief in Mountain Home. He began as a reserve Police officer in Boise, Idaho in 1974 until 1977. He achieved the rank of specilst during that time and also was awarded both a basic an Advanced Law enforcment Certivificate awarded by the Boise Police Department and recognized by the State of Idaho.

Mr. Berry left law enforcement for a time due to financial Oblications, but in 1978 he took up the carreer again with his involvment with the Owyhee County Idaho Sheriffs Department, under the direction of legenary Sheriff Tim Nettelton. First as a Special deputy, then as a full time Deputy Sheriff. Chief Berry has stated that during this period he was taugh by Sheiff Netteton not only the duties of Deputy Sheriff, but the responsiblity to serve those he was appointed to serve. Chief Berry credits Sheriff Nettletion, (and later Elmore County Sheriff Bob Mendiola) with providing him with the sound foundation of what it took to be a Law Man that was of the People and for the People. During his time in Owyhee County Chief Berry dealt with all aspects of Law Enforcement. He was a Resident Deputy located in Bruneau, Idaho. He was the only Deputy Sheriff available for the community for many miles, and somtimes hundreds of miles. Murphy was the County Seat and that was his closest link to help if needed. He in face, depended often on another county, Elmore, as being closer for back up than his own agency, which covered close to 5,000 square miles.

During his time as a deputy Chief Berry investigated everything from simple theft to unattended Deaths. In 1979 he was invloved in an office involved shootout, that fortunatley did not result in the death of any suspect or Deputy. Chief Berry often said that though he was taugh the mechanecs and techical aspects of Law enforcement in Boise Police Department, he was taught how to treat the public with respect and observe the constituninal responsiblities in Owyhee County (and later in Elmore County).