By Gari Voss
What seemed like the regular change of shifts turned into an award ceremony for the City of Allegan Police Department. On the afternoon of Friday, July 22, 2022, when the officers entered the breakroom, the table contained buckets of snacks, thank you cards from students at Pine Trails Elementary and even cookies imprinted with their badge numbers. All of this was part of receiving the Hometown Hero Award from Modern Woodmen of America Chapter 4948.
Modern Woodmen Fraternal Activities Coordinator Bryanna Cope and Financial Advisor Taylor Lake shared the honors in presenting the award. On hand were Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center Executive Director Lori Antkoviak, Development Coordinator Madyson Whitehouse, and Intake Coordinator Ami Vasquez. In addition, Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch attended to congratulate the team.
“We just want to say thank you, and we appreciate each one of you,” Coordinator Cope explained. “I know that the job you do today in the community is not the job you probably thought you signed up for. There is so much more, so we add a gift certificate to Schaendorf Brewing Co. for each of you to enjoy.”
Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization established in 1883 with the goal of improving the quality of life for their communities. This includes providing financial guidance, along with social, educational and volunteer activities.
Each year chapters present the Hometown Hero Award to individuals or groups that demonstrate outstanding volunteer service to their local communities. For Cope and Lake, the officers and chief of the Allegan Police Department have demonstrated that they not only go above and beyond while on the job, but are also active in the Allegan community.
“These men attend the elementary schools functions such as reading during March Is Reading Month, and participating in field days, fun runs and career days. Throughout the year, they encounter elementary school classes during field trips to downtown and attend local 5K events. There are three officers currently serving on a multijurisdictional SWAT Team. Multiple officers are trained in Strategos School Safety and train teachers and administrators in Allegan County as well as local churches, businesses and the hospital in the event of an active incident,” Cope shared.
“Most of the officers are family men and spend their time with their wives and children. Some are avid outdoorsmen who enjoy hunting, fishing and sports. After hours, many of the team members volunteer their time coaching youth sports.”
One of the “after hours” activities in which the officers participate is the Badges and Bravery – Jailbreak 5K and Family Fun Run! Civilian racers receive a head start and attempt to complete the race before getting caught by the law. The caveat is that if an officer, deputy or first responder “captures” an escapee, the officer must do push ups before resuming the pursuit of bandits. The run supports Safe Harbor programming.
Along with the certificate of appreciation, the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award is given a $100 voucher to be donated to a charity of their choice. The Department chose Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center. The officers are extremely aware of the role the Center plays in working as a conduit between law enforcement and the courts in cases of child abuse and neglect.
Kudos to the officers of the Allegan Police Department for their on-the-job efforts and their after-hours volunteerism in the Allegan area.