how can I get the door panle off a 1997 chey truck

Try removing the "door arm pad" or see if there is screws in that area. Then look to see if there is a way to gain access behind the door handle to operate the locking mechanism. If I remember correctly the door release is "in the door jamb" on that model year. The only thing you can do is either go behind the door panel by removing pieces or go see if you can remove the bolts that hold the mechanism to the door and see if that will free the latching mechanism, allowing it to open freely allowing you to fix it.