Jackson Police Officer Shane LaPorte recently attended the National Association of Police Organizations national conference in Washington, D.C. LaPorte was in attendance as President Obama and Vice-President Biden honored numerous award recipients who displayed bravery and courage in the line of duty in the past year. While in Washington, LaPorte lobbied Congressman Tim Walberg to support the Bulletproof Vest Grant Program Reauthorization Act, which assists in officers purchasing vests. Other guests: Kelly Burr, The Shop Rat Foundation summer camps; Carrie Stadelman, Freeland Photography; Coffee Talk with Robert Ernst, Jackson Coffee Company; McCulloch School Principal Julie Baker with Save Our Youth Founder Thomas Baker and volunteer Anthony Gittens; Pet of the Week with Sue Lovell, Cascades Humane Society.