BOISE -- With less than a month left in office, Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter is being recognized for his time serving Idaho.
Otter, who as governor serves as the commander in chief of the Idaho National Guard, was presented with the Idaho Distinguished Service Medal.
During his 12 years in office, he oversaw numerous Idaho National Guard deployments and helped coordinate dozens of state and federal disaster responses. Otter was also heavily involved in developing the Idaho Youth Challange Academy, which has provided more than 1,100 high school drop-outs with a second chance since 2014.
Brigadier General Michael Garshak presented Otter with the medal during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate your service as our governor," Garshak told Otter. "I think Idaho is probably the envy of many, many states - unparalleled levels of liberty and prosperity, in large part due to Gov. Otter's leadership."
Otter previously served in the 116th Armored Cavalry as a Cavalry Scout from 1968 to 1973.
Lt. Gov. Brad Little will step into the governor's role in January.
