Remembering Neil M. Honkala

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our friend and colleague Neil Honkala, who passed away suddenly on 05/15/2021. Neil was a proud member of the Hamilton Police Department and it was our privilege to know him. Neil joined the police department on 11-26-2018 and has been providing light and dedication to the community of Hamilton ever since. The Hamilton Police Association is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Neil's wife, Stacy Honkala, and his four children, Sophia, Jacob, Erica and Kayla. Please assist us in supporting Neil's family in their time of need and help with the funeral costs. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Stacy asked that we share a section from Neil's obituary:

Neil went to the Police Academy in Florida in 1988 which began his long career in Law Enforcement which spanned over 30 years in Florida and Montana. He was so proud of all the people he was able to help throughout his career. Neil also had a love of skydiving which led him to being a skydiving instructor for 17 years while in Florida and also a firearms instructor for many years. While skydive instructing he met Stacy and they married on Aug. 21, 2004 and together raised 4 children. Together the family moved to Montana in January of 2016. Neil continued with firearm instructing in Montana with the Bitterroot Blasters and he also served as the Armorer and a committed officer for the Hamilton Police Department. He took great pride and enjoyment in his positions for 31/2 years.

Neil will be remembered as a very hard working man who loved his time in Law Enforcement, especially S.W.A.T. He enjoyed shooting, especially competitive shooting, hunting, woodworking, forging knives, four wheeling and dirt biking. His greatest love was spending time with his children and family. Neil had a generous heart of gold and never hesitated to help people out. He was always affectionate and determined to accomplish anything he started to do.