Local Sheriff's deputy prepared for tour-of-duty in Iraq

Taking on bad guys is part of Tony Buff's job—now so is rebuilding a Middle Eastern country.

Within the next few days, Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Buff expects to be deployed to Iraq as part of the National Guard's 163rd Mechanized Infantry Unit. Buff noted that his unit "has already been there once and come back."

"I think it's something we need to get done. We had to get rid of Saddam and now we need to help them (the Iraqis) rebuild and get things back together," he said.

Buff will spend the next 14 to 18 months in Iraq monitoring checkpoints, doing patrols and working with the Iraqi army. As the deputy in residence for the Swan Valley, Iraq will be a definite change from his current environment. But Buff has a good idea of what he will be facing from relayed first-hand accounts.

Of Buff's four stepchildren, two have served in Iraq. The eldest, Christopher Nutt, will be returning from his tour with the Army just as Buff is leaving. The other, Matthew Nutt, has served two tours for the Navy on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

"They've told me it gets rough, but it is getting better," Buff said.

Buff's wife Bobbi said she is so grateful for the support and love that the community has offered during her family's service overseas.

"I'm glad that in all the communities I have to go though this in, that it is this one," she said.

The community rallied behind the family again last Friday night during a going-away potluck held at the Swan Community Hall. During an interview before the party, Buff said that other than his family, he will miss his job and coworkers the most.

In addition to his duties as sheriff's deputy, Buff also is part of the emergency dive team, a K-9 handler, part of the special reaction team, deputy coroner, and a Swan Mission Search and Rescue coordinator. His coworkers note that he is also a good person.

"He can't be replaced," Lake County Sheriff Sergeant Dave Alexander said. "Tony is not only someone I work with, he is also one of my best friends."

Buff was born in Walla Walla, Wash. He grew up in Washington and Montana, and received a GED in Kalispell. After school, he worked ranches in Bozeman until he grew weary of the cowboy lifestyle. "I got tired of freezing and working cows," he said.

So he joined the Army in 1984. He went to basic training in Alabama and was stationed in Maryland, Washington and Korea.

"It was enjoyable—interesting," Buff said. "I got to meet other people and see how they live."

He returned to the states in 1990 and was out of active duty in 1991. He returned to Bozeman and joined the National Guard. "I missed the lifestyle," he said.

Buff served with the National Guard's military police and the transportation division. He rejoined once again in January of 2001.

Buff found out early last month that he would be going to Iraq. He had been slated to go with his unit once before, but was able to stay behind to address a family emergency.

"It's my turn now," he said.