Police Chiefs Association of Will County

PCAWC Whitey Miller Classic Another Success

The Police Chiefs Association of Will County hosted the Whitey Miller Classic golf outing on Thursday, June 8, 2023. This event is the association’s main fundraiser to support the Illinois Special Olympics and The 100 Club of Will County.

During the past several years the annual outing has enjoyed tremendous success. Each year the event continues to grow, and our sponsors have been very generous in the past with their donations. The past two years the association was able to raise just over $30,000 each outing. This gave the association the opportunity to donate $15,000 to both the 100 Club of Will County and the Special Olympics Illinois. “The ability to raise over $30,000 and to donate $15,000 each to such amazing organizations, is why we joined this business. Promoting inclusion and the power of sports, and also being able to donate to an organization that helps the families of fallen first responders, means everything to the Executive Board and the PCAWC members.” Tracy Chapman, Vice President (2023).

Since 1967, the 100 Club of Will County has supported families of firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who’s loved one dedicated themselves by duty and service to our community and by making the ultimate sacrifice. While money can never replace the loss of a loved one, funds can be extremely helpful in easing the financial burden associated with the tragic event. https://100clubwillcounty.com/

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. https://www.soill.org/mission-vision/.

The 2024 Whitey Miller Classic will be held again at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort on Wednesday, June 5

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2023 Whitey Miller Golf Classic – Thank You!

The Police Chiefs Association of Will County would like to thank sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and everyone that participated in the 2023 15th Anniversary Whitey Miller Golf Classic, for their dedication and commitment to the organization. With your support, we raised over $28,000, which will be donated to The 100 Club of Will County and Special Olympics Illinois. You are a tremendous asset to the ‘Whitey Miller Classic golf committee and the executive board. Without your contribution, the golf outing would not have been so successful.

Special thanks to our event sponsor D’Orazio Ford of Wilmington for sponsoring the commemorative golf shirt, and Rendel’s, Inc. for sponsoring the Spartan 42” zero turn mower again this year. Without your continuous dedication, this event would not be as successful as it is. Thank you to Green Garden Country Club for accommodating and assisting us with success. Special thanks also to Whitey Miller’s family as they continue to support this event, and donate their time to making it a successful fundraiser.

Event Sponsors ($5000+):

D’Orazio Ford of Wilmington

Rendel’s, Inc.

Eagle Sponsors ($1000+):

Austin Tyler Construction

D’Arcy Chevrolet Joliet

Jeff Tomczak, Tomczak Law Group

Moira Dunn, Esq.

Birdie Sponsors ($500+):

CopFTO

Dunbar Systems

Leak & Sons Funeral Home

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First Administrative Professionals Huddle

Police Chiefs Association of Will County hosts the First Administrative Professionals Huddle

Annually the Police Chiefs Association of Will County (PCAWC) invites law enforcement administrative professionals to the April monthly meeting and luncheon, to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day which falls on April 26, 2023. This year the executive board wanted to highlight administrative staff even more by hosting the first PCAWC Administrative Professional Huddle. The Huddle is meant to gather law enforcement administrative professionals to create a networking opportunity and provide future staff training. The event highlighted continuing education from Joliet Junior College (JJC) and memberships to the Law Enforcement Records Managers of Illinois and Illinois Law Enforcement Administrative Professionals. The Executive Board’s goal is to make this an annual event and include training at future events that is voted on by participants.

Illinois State Police, Captain David Keltner, President of the Police Chiefs Association of Will County commented “All police executives know that our administrative professionals enable the successful operations of our departments to continue to operate fluently. The PCAWC Administrative Huddle is just one way we can say thanks for everyone’s efforts throughout the year. The general public may not know of the important roles of our administrative professionals but we as police executives know they are the heart and soul of our operations.”

Information gathered this year from the JJC Continuing Education section: Want to learn a new skill, looking for professional development, lifelong learning classes, career training, or need a refresher? Or maybe you are just looking for something fun to do. Joliet Junior College offers several options for continuing education along with its vast certificate and associate degree programs. JJC’s contract training will be a perfect fit for future Huddles, as the PCAWC can cater to the participant’s specific training requests.

One of this year’s attendees, Forest Preserve District of Will County Police Department, Administrative Assistant Nicole Veerman commented “Being offered this experience by the PCAWC gives me the rare opportunity to meet and exchange information with fellow administrative staff specifically in Will County. I am grateful for the chance to participate and am excited to see the Huddle grow in future years. Making training accessible to local administrators, and a nice lunch after does make one feel appreciated!”

Memberships for administrative professionals include both LERMI and ILEAP. Law Enforcement Records Managers of Illinois (LERMI) is a non-profit organization formed to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of Law Enforcement Records Management by providing an information-sharing network of public body personnel.  LERMI is dedicated to the exchanging of ideas, processes, and techniques; providing a forum for interaction and improving communications between public body personnel across Illinois. 

The Illinois Law Enforcement Administrative Professionals (Illinois LEAP) was created to provide an environment for law enforcement administrative professionals to share data and knowledge that will enhance our organizations, our professional goals, and our continuing education. Membership in Illinois LEAP is open to all administrative professionals, Chiefs of Police, and administrative support personnel holding other titles employed in a similar capacity in a policing agency in the State of Illinois.

National Administrative Professionals’ Day, also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day, recognizes the professionals who keep an office running smoothly every day. Celebrate these professionals on the Wednesday of the last full week in April of each year. The day recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. Central to any business, these professionals keep an office organized and efficient.

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Retirement and Appointment

Left to Right: Chief David Demik and Chief William Mort

The Village of Peotone is happy to announce Chief David DeMik, formerly of Riverdale, Illinois, is taking the helm of the Peotone Police Department on December 27, 2022.

Village Administrator Aimee Ingalls is quoted as saying “Our gratitude and respect is overflowing for the dedication and leadership that Chief William Mort has provided over the last 16 years to Peotone.”

Please join us in celebrating Chief Mort’s contributions to Peotone as well as to his dedication to the police profession on December 30, 2022, at the American Legion, 109 E. North Street, Peotone, IL from 4 pm to 7 pm.

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Annual Golf Outing Donation

The Executive Board of the Police Chiefs Association of Will County recently presented checks from the proceeds of the 2022 Whitey Miller Golf Classic to the 100 Club of Will County and Special Olympics of
Illinois.

President Dave Keltner remarked “I am proud of the executive board and every member of the association that took the time and effort to make this year’s golf classic a huge success. It is an honor to be part of donating $30,000.00 between these two great organizations.”

Vice-President Tracy Chapman (Chief, Forest Preserve District of Will County), Treasurer Hilary Davis (Deputy Chief, New Lenox Police Department), along with Carol Miller, surviving spouse of Whitey Miller, present a $15,000.00 check to the 100 Club of Will County Director Fred Hayes (Chief, Elwood Police Department), and a $15,000.00 check to Special Olympics of Illinois representatives Bill Devine (Tinley Park Police Department) and Debbie Henning (Lockport Police Department).

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2022 Annual Installation Banquet

The Police Chiefs Association of Will County held its annual Installation Banquet/Meeting on November 3, 2022, at Tuscany Falls Banquets in Mokena, Illinois. Commander Anthony Novak (Plainfield Police Department), who was the current President of the Association, was honored with a plaque thanking him for his dedication and service to the organization during his 2021-2022 tenure.

Will County Circuit Judge Dave Carlson attended the event and officiated as the Executive Board was sworn in.

For the 2022-2023 tenure, Captain Dave Keltner (Illinois State Police) moved to the President position of the Association, Tracy Chapman (Forest Preserve District of Will County) moved to the Vice-President position, Robert “Butch” Dykstra (Rockdale Police Department) moved to the Secretary position, and John Arizzi (Lockport Police Department) was sworn in as the Sergeant-At-Arms.

The event was well-attended by members of the Association, who enjoyed fellowship and collaboration. President David Keltner thanked several members that have been great mentors to him and expressed his goal of expanding the organization.

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2022 Whitey Miller Golf Classic – Thank You!

The Police Chiefs Association of Will County would like to thank sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and everyone that participated in the 2022 Whitey Miller Golf Classic, for their dedication and commitment to the organization. With your support we were able to raise over $30,000, which will be donated to The 100 Club of Will County and Special Olympics Illinois.  You are a tremendous asset to the ‘Whitey Miller Classic” golf committee and the executive board. Without your contribution the golf outing would not have been so successful.

Title Sponsors ($1,000+):

D’Arcy Chevrolet Joliet

Diageo Plainfield

D’Orazio Ford Wilmington

KWM Gutterman

Rendel’s

Rod Baker

Birdie Sponsors ($500+):

Anderson Towing, CopFTO, D’Arcy Chevrolet Morris, Environmental Disposal, Fleet Safety / The Terramar Group, Joliet Suspension, Kochel Towing, LJL Investments, Profession Salon Concepts, Spencer Leak & Sons Funeral Home, Underground Pipe, and Will County Bar Assoc.

Par Sponsors ($250+):

360 Hazardous, Chicago Lift, Corsetti Steel, Gurgone group, Optimal Recovery, Todd’s Body Shop and Whelen

Hole Sponsors $100+:

Aerotek Design Labs LLC, Citizens to Elect Mike Kelley, Code 4 Public Safety Emblems, Friends to Elect Judge DeWilkins, Friends to Elect Judge Smigielski, Glasgow for Will County, Harold Damron, Havis, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Kory Management Group, Law Offices of Spesia and Taylor, Mahoney Silverman & Cross, Mary Kay O’Brien, Michael Flanagan for Will County Board, Moen Row / Frank F. Fehrenbacher Jr, Nicks Emergency Lighting, Northpoint Financial Group, Rathbun Cservenyak & Kozol, Reich Jumbeck Stole & Reeb LLP, Reilly for Sheriff, Rockdale Fire Golf, and Shane & Kimberly Casey

In-kind donations/sponsorships:

Ashland Propane, Bettinardi, Coopers Hawk, Darley, D’Orazio Ford Wilmington, Emagine, Environmental Recycling & Disposal, Greg and Dorothy Chapman, Ray O’Herron, Rendel’s, Rolff Signs, Sportsclips, and Anthony Novak

Special thanks to our volunteers. Without their commitment to this event, it would not be as successful as it is year after year.

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2022 Whitey Miller Classic Golf Outing

This year, the Police Chiefs Association of Will County’s Executive Board is facilitating our annual charity golf outing to raise monies for two meaningful organizations that are near and dear to our hearts in the Law Enforcement Community. Last year, we donated $24,000 to charity and hope to exceed those numbers this year with the assistance of our business and community partners. The Whitey Miller Classic Golf Outing will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Inwood Golf Course, 3200 W. Jefferson, Joliet, Illinois, at 10:00 a.m.

The association has selected two charities to donate the proceeds to. The first charity is the 100 Club of Will County. Since 1967, the 100 Hundred Club of Will County has supported families of firefighters, policemen, and emergency responders who’s loved one dedicated themselves by duty and service to our community and by making the ultimate sacrifice. While money can never replace the loss of a loved one, funds can be extremely helpful in easing the financial burden associated with the tragic event. https://100clubwillcounty.com/

The second charity is the Special Olympics Illinois. Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. https://www.soill.org/mission-vision/

Our annual golf outing is named in the honor of Robert “Whitey” Miller, who was a well-known and respected leader within the Will County community. 

Whitey was hired by the Lockport Police Department in 1960 and rose through the ranks until becoming the Chief of Police in 1971.  During his tenure as Chief of Police, Whitey served on the Executive Board of the Police Chiefs Association of Will County and served as the association President in 1973. 

Although, Whitey officially retired in 1990, he remained very engaged within the association as a life member.  He regularly attended the meetings and served on several committees.  He was one of the original founders of the annual golf outing and loved giving back to the community through charitable contributions raised from the proceeds of the golf outing.    

If you are interested in participating or supporting this incredibly worthwhile cause, please reach out to any Board Member or click on the tab above (under the Home Tab) entitled, “Whitey Miller Classic.”  

In the words of Albert Pike, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, but what we have done for others and the world remains immortal.”

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Will County EMA director Harold Damron retires, Allison Anderson appointed as successor

Article from The Herald News online

The director of the Will County Emergency Management Agency retired Thursday amid praise from several officials for his 31 years of service to the county.

Harold Damron was first hired to the staff of the Will County EMA in 1991 and was appointed its eighth director in 2007. The Will County Board recognized Damron for his service during a meeting Thursday.

During his career, Damron helped coordinate the response and recovery efforts during eight presidentially declared disasters and numerous other emergencies. In remarks to the board, he praised his staff at the EMA as a “great and dedicated” group.

“Our job is to be problem solvers, often without much history about the problem and without too many answers,” he said. “And they adapt all the time.”

The agency also has used hundreds of volunteers during Damron’s time there, he said.

He and the EMA were crucial to helping local municipalities obtain protective equipment during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Longtime Will County Board member Jim Moustis said the job Damron did helping him secure PPE for Frankfort Township was “extraordinary.”

“He’s done such a wonderful job,” Moustis said last week.

Damron’s successor is Allison Anderson, who has served as the county EMA’s deputy director since 2018. She was sworn in near the end of Thursday’s board meeting.

“I am pleased to appoint Allison to continue the strong leadership of Will County’s EMA department,” Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said in a statement. “Her experience and knowledge will provide stability, as well as offer a vision to move us forward.”

Anderson joined the county in 2013 as an emergency response specialist with the health department and joined the EMA the next year. She’s coordinated and developed strategic, operational and tactical plans for the county’s response to emergencies.

As deputy director, she’s managed the training and exercise programs, which is required each year by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead this agency and the dedicated team of professionals and volunteers who work hard to keep our residents safe,” said Anderson in a statement. “Emergency planning is not something people think about every day, but we are always training and learning the best way to respond in any type of emergency. I will strive to keep Will County a leader in all our emergency responses.”

Anderson graduated from Northern Illinois University, majoring in psychology and sociology. She is a certified emergency manager with the International Association of Emergency Managers and received her Illinois Professional Emergency Manager’s certification in 2015.

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Deputy Sheriff Michael Queeney

Deputy Sheriff Mike Queeney died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while assigned to Civil Process at the Will County Courthouse at 100 West Jefferson Street in Joliet.

Deputy Queeney had served with the Will County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

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Shorewood Gets a New Police Chief

The Police Chiefs Association of Will County would like to congratulate Phillip “Phil” Arnold on being sworn in on January 11, 2022, as the Chief of Police for the Shorewood Police Department. Chief Arnold has held multiple ranking positions in several police departments in Cook County and Will County during his law enforcement career. Most recently, Chief Arnold served the Wilmington Police Department for several years as the Chief of Police, before being hired by the Shorewood Police Department. Good luck, Phil, and we wish you abundant success in the years to come. 

Pictured (left to right) are Chief Arnold and Village of Shorewood, Village President Clarence “CC” DeBold.

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Annual Golf Outing Donation

On January 6, 2022, the Police Chiefs Association of Will County was proud to present a check for $12,000.00 to Special Olympics Illinois and also present a check for $12,000.00 to the 100 Club of Will County. The money was primarily raised from the Police Chiefs Association of Will County’s annual golf outing.

Special Olympics Illinois is an organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Pictured (left to right) are Special Olympics Illinois representative Bill Devine, Special Olympics Illinois Athlete C.J., Police Chiefs Association of Will County, Golf Committee member Kevin Shaughnessy (Retired Chief, Lemont Police Department), and Police Chiefs Association of Will County President Anthony Novak (Commander, Plainfield Police Department).

The 100 Club of Will County is a charitable organization that also served the Will County area. Since 1967, the 100 Hundred Club of Will County has supported families of firefighters, policemen, and emergency responders who’s loved ones dedicated themselves by duty and service to our community and by making the ultimate sacrifice. Pictured (left to right) are Police Chiefs Association of Will County, Golf Committee member Kevin Shaughnessy (Retired Chief, Lemont Police Department), Police Chiefs Association of Will County President Anthony Novak (Commander, Plainfield Police Department), 100 Club of Will County Board of Directors member Fred Hayes (Chief, Elwood Police Department), and Will County Police Chiefs Association of Will County Treasurer Butch Dykstra (Chief, Rockdale Police Department).

A special thank you goes out to the Police Chiefs Association of Will County, Golf Committee, especially Mark Eiting (Retired Deputy Chief, Plainfield Police Department), for their continued efforts to raise money for these great organizations.

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2021 Annual Installation Banquet

Left to right: Hilary Davis, Robert “Butch” Dykstra, Tracy Chapman, David Keltner, Anthony Novak, Adam Bogart, and Art Smigielski.

The Will County Police Chiefs Association held its annual Installation Banquet/Meeting on November 18, 2021, at Tuscany Falls Banquets in Mokena, Illinois. Deputy Chief Adam Bogart (Channahon Police Department), who was the current President of the Association, was honored with a plaque thanking him for his dedication and service to the organization during his 2020-2021 tenure.

Will County Circuit Judge Art Smigielski attended the event and officiated as Commander Anthony Novak (Plainfield Police Department) was sworn in as the new President of the Association, as well as, the other new members of the Board–Vice-President David Keltner (Illinois State Police), Secretary Tracy Chapman (Forest Preserve District of Will County), Treasurer Robert “Butch” Dykstra (Rockdale Police), and Sergeant-At-Arms Hilary Davis (New Lenox Police).

The event was well-attended by members of the Association, who enjoyed fellowship and collaboration, after what can only be described as a very challenging year. President Anthony Novak advised the membership that the incoming Board is committed to continuing to maintain the training, teamwork, and support that the Will County Police Chiefs Association has always provided to law enforcement and the communities in the Will County area.

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9.11.21 – 20th Anniversary Ceremony

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s speech during the 20th Anniversary Ceremony of September 11, 2001.

“All of us can remember where we were on September 11, 2001. When the news first broke about two airplanes hitting the World Trade Center Towers. a third airplane hitting the Pentagon in Washington DC, and a fourth aircraft crashing in rural Pennsylvania.

This was one of the most sobering times in our Nations’s history, and one we will remember for the rest of our lives. We are gathered today to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on our country. To pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who died that day and of those more than 400 first responders. These men and women paid the ultimate price to protect the public safety. They are husbands, wives, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, and friends, who were taken too soon. 

Today is an opportunity for us to reflect on their lives, but it is also a day to remind ourselves how our country unified to get through this devastation. Today we need this reminder more than ever”.

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