Optimists honor Officers of the Year

Though this year’s Officer of the Year recipients from the police and sheriff departments had already been announced last month, there was one additional surprise recipient at the Shawano Optimist Club’s ceremony Wednesday.

Retiring DNR Warden Jim Horne also received a plaque.

“We had a special request from one of our Optimist members,” president Kay Bloomer said, adding that the board unanimously agreed. “We felt this person should be recognized tonight.”

Optimist member Bob Hannes, a former supervisor of Horne’s, said Horne had been instrumental in working with the youth in the community, including coaching soccer and football and overseeing snowmobile and hunter safety courses.

“That’s what the Optimists are all about,” Hannes said.

Horne retired last month after 29 years with the DNR.

“He brought to the table a lot of experience, educational endeavors that he’s learned throughout his years and passed it on to wardens on our Peshtigo team and throughout the state,” Hannes said.

He noted Horne had been involved in recruit training, tactical flight operations, and law enforcement investigations.

He said Horne was also responsive to public questions and concerns.

“I don’t know how another warden could be as responsive as Jim,” Hannes said.

The award was a surprise to almost everyone, but Horne said he had an inkling it was going to happen.

“I kind of figured something was going on,” he said.

“It was my pleasure really, to work in this community, in this county,” Horne said. “I worked for and with a lot of great people.”

The Optimists also honored two Shawano police officers and a Shawano County sheriff’s deputy who had been chosen by their departments.

The awards are given out annually in conjunction with Respect for Law Week.

This year’s recipients were sheriff’s deputy Joseph Verbrigghe and police officers Noah Bunt and Ryan Atkinson.

“Over the past several years, Deputy Verbrigghe has been a tireless volunteer at The Well, a local meeting place for area youth; operated and maintained by the River Valley Community Church,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said. “The Well provides a safe and secure environment for young people to gather, participate in group activities, and simply have a great time without worrying about being surrounded by negative influences.”

Verbrigghe provides supervision and security at the Well, assists with upkeep and is available to serve as a mentor for the youth, Bieber said.

“Deputy Verbrigghe provides an excellent example of the community caretaking element of policing, both on and off duty,” Bieber said.

Verbrigghe has been with the sheriff’s department for 27 years and was previously a U.S. Army MP serving overseas.

Verbrigghe thanked the club for the award, but said the recognition was not the reason he does what he does in the community.

“Most of the coppers, if you do something special, kind of don’t want to get recognized for it,” he said. “But I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight.”

Police Chief Mark Kohl said the choices from his department reflect the proactive attitude the department has been trying to take.

“The direction the police department is going in is to make this a safer community, increase the quality of life, and these two officers really emphasize that effort,” he said.

Bunt has been an officer since May 2006.

“Noah has been instrumental in strengthening the partnerships we have with landlords and property owners,” Kohl said. “Noah has become the liaison between the police and landlords in providing valuable training in landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities. He has become the P.D.’s point of contact on tenant/landlord and city ordinance issues.”

Atkinson has been an officer since May 2002.

“Ryan works with a team of dedicated police officers in investigating crimes involving drugs and other victim-witnessed crimes,” Kohl said. “Ryan has spent many hours working in partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations on drug and cold case investigations.

“Even though we’re in our beginning stages of many drug investigations, Ryan’s work has made a big dent into drug activity in Shawano. Ryan’s hard work is making this a safer community for all.”

Kohl said selecting officers of the year from the department wasn’t an easy choice, given the team effort of so many others.

“Along with Noah, Lt. Dan Conradt’s involvement in helping with landlord issues is not overlooked,” Kohl said. “Along with Ryan, officers Dan Conradt’s and Jeff Lenzner’s strong investigative work in drug investigations made our achievements united. I believe Noah and Ryan would recognize their successes as a team recognition.”

The ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 117, 850 S. Lincoln St.