by Kristin Kruse
Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cassi Kopsa was presented with First Response Photography’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award on Monday, November 17. The award was presented by photography business owner Justiz Daricek, who also read the nomination letter that led to the selection of Kopsa for this recognition.
“It is with great pride that I nominate Deputy Cassi Kopsa of the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. As the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Florence-Carlton School District, Deputy Kopsa has exemplified professionalism, compassion, and dedication to both the students and the broader community she serves.
Sheriff Steve Holton, Deputy Cassi Kopsa and Justiz Daricek. Photo courtesy First Response Photography.
“Deputy Kopsa goes above and beyond the traditional duties of law enforcement. Her presence at the schools is not only a source of safety but also of trust, mentorship, and genuine care. She has built meaningful relationships with students of all ages, staff, and parents—proving that community policing begins with strong human connections. Through daily interactions, classroom visits, and participation in extracurricular events, she has become an integral and positive influence in the lives of countless young people.
“Deputy Kopsas’s calm demeanor and approachability have made her a trusted resource for students facing personal or academic challenges, many of whom turn to her for guidance and support.
“Beyond her role in the school district, Deputy Kopsa consistently demonstrates excellence in law enforcement professionalism. Whether responding to emergencies, assisting other deputies, or representing the Sheriff’s Office at community events, she embodies the values of integrity, service, and respect. Her proactive communication with school administrators and families ensures that issues are addressed before they escalate, keeping both the school and the community safer.
“Deputy Kopsa’s commitment to the youth of Ravalli County extends beyond her assigned duties; she represents what it means to serve with heart. Her dedication, empathy, and tireless work ethic have left an indelible mark on the Florence-Carlton School District and the entire community. For her exceptional service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Cassi Kopsa is most deserving of the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.”
Kopsa was selected by a panel of seven judges that all work in law enforcement, including a Police Chief, Lieutenants, a Deputy Sergeant and Reserve Officers. County Sheriff Steve Holton stated, “I appreciate the nomination, it is 100% accurate. Cassi does a tremendous job for us and we are very fortunate to have her and are very proud of her.”
Kopsa has been with the Sheriff’s Office for almost two years, and shared her thoughts on receiving this award. “Well I’m honestly surprised I got the award, but very honored as well. I feel very supported here and that’s all because of the great community I have to back me up.”
First Response Photography was created by Daricek and his two friends Alex Troy and Tyce Mathaforf (who both have unfortunately passed away) in February of 2024. The mission of the business is to shine a spotlight on all First Responders and they do this by showing up at law enforcement scenes, fires and medical incidents and taking powerful photos that represent what these people do on a daily basis. Daricek stated, “I think it’s important that all First Responders have a positive light shed on them, they are people too, and they face stressors and situations that can be very hard for them to deal with. I am also an advocate for mental health, as I have faced significant losses and been through some pretty hard mental health stuff myself.”
Example of on scene photography by First Response Photography.
Daricek comes from a tough background, but was heavily influenced by his mother, who raised him as a single mother while working as a nurse and an EMT. She then married a firefighter, which has led Daricek to become a volunteer firefighter as well as enlisting in the Army National Guard. “I want to serve my country as well as my community.”
Currently there are five awards that are given out each year, each designed to give Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and EMTs an opportunity to be recognized by the community. There are also two additional awards that were created to honor Daricek’s two deceased friends that he started his business with. The Alex Troy Award and the Mathaforf Award are not limited to First Responders, but are open to anyone in the community that is recognized as someone who is a loyal and helpful person who is willing to teach and support others.
To learn more about First Response Photography you can visit the website at https://1stresponsephotography.com.
Helen Sabin says
God bless our wonderful sheriffs department and this young deputy! Congratulations to the deputy for winning the award as it sounds like it was well deserved. We love our sheriffs, deputies and police, fire and other LEOs in the valley and we wish them all a happy Thanksgiving..