News Story - Idaho State Journal

jbulger@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- With a quarter century of law enforcement under his belt, newly-promoted Idaho State Police Lt. Ismael Gonzales has a fairly succinct categorization for the members of the public he serves.

"Ninety percent are friendly, courteous and great people," Gonzales said. "The others are why we're out there."

An Idaho State University law enforcement graduate, Gonzales, 44, has been "out there" with ISP since 1990, following a five-year stint with the Rexburg Police.

"I get a lot of satisfaction serving the people of Idaho," Gonzales said.

After 18 years in Region 6, based in Idaho Falls, Gonzales was recently promoted to lieutenant and posted here in Pocatello. His primary focus will be oversight of Region 5's patrol division.

"Yesterday was my first acting day as lieutenant," he said. "Pretty exciting."

Gonzales has put his Idaho Falls home on the market and is searching for a house here. In the interim, he continues to reside with his family in Idaho Falls and makes the commute to Pocatello each day.

Gonzales faced a tough test in his career in 1994 during a seemingly routine traffic stop on U.S. 20 near Chester. He approached a car whose driver he suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. As Gonzales stood before the driver's open window, the man suddenly fired two pistol rounds into Gonzales' chest.

Gonzales was wearing his protective vest -- "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't" -- and was able to get back to the relative cover of his patrol car where he and the suspect exchanged fire. The suspect gunned his vehicle, fleeing the scene and holed up a short distance away. Law enforcement converged and a standoff ensued.

Gonzales said the man had escaped from a Florida prison and stolen the car, accompanied by his 18-year-old wife. He believes that the man, who was subject to "three strikes" sentencing, likely felt he had nothing to lose. The man ultimately chose to take his own life. His wife spent six months in a federal prison for her involvement.

Gonzales was placed on administrative leave and was fully healed by the time the mandatory investigation was done.

Gonzales said the event more cautious of those he encounters in his work. His mindset is that anyone may be having a personal crisis that may cause them to act in a fatalistic manner.

He does not dwell on the grim aspects of his job, however.

"The good things are always more memorable," he said.

Those include helping deliver premature babies, finding lost children and getting wayward drivers back on track. He recounts finding a car in a barrow pit along the roadway once. Sometime later, ISP received a call from a family driving their recreational vehicle, now several states away.

"Did we lose a car in Idaho?" they asked.

By John Bulger

This document was originally published online on Wednesday, October 08, 2008

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