Kaneff announces candidacy for Justice of Peace

MISSOULA - My name is Daniel Chris Kaneff and I am running for Justice of the Peace, Seat #1 in Missoula County.

I was born in Missoula in 1970 and returned to Missoula in 1995 after an eight-year tour in the Marine Corps, which included Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I attended the University of Montana and earned a BS in Business Administration in 2002 while serving as a full time police officer for the City of Missoula. I was hired by the Missoula Police Dept in 2000 and recently retired after 21 years of honorable service.

What I bring to the position would be 21 years of law enforcement experience, serving my community as well as more than 20 years of military service that started in 1988 when I joined the Marine Corps. This service continued in the Montana National Guard where I served two more tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2010/2011 as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander, respectively. I understand what it takes to serve in a leadership role where it is imperative to conduct yourself beyond reproach.

My personal awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Police Medal among others.

My children have learned the value of selfless service, as both of my adult children joined the military shortly after graduating high school. Sydney joined the Army and became a combat medic and Garrison is currently stationed in 29 Palms as a Marine infantryman. Jacob attends Frenchtown High School and has indicated an interest in attending the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

My wife Heidi has stood by me through all of my adventures and she is the true hero of our family. What I have sacrificed in tours of combat, training, time away and body wear and tear, is nothing compared to the thankless hours of work and worry and physical toll that she has endured so that I may serve.

My parents David and Susan instilled the values that have made my life a success: work ethic, leadership by example and your word being your entire reputation. They too have endured the sacrifice of raising a child that would serve, a sacrifice that I have only recently come to fully appreciate.

What I bring to the Office of Justice of the Peace is a hard but fair stance on crime, transparency in decision-making and conduct above reproach.