Crime & Safety
Cold Dunk! Officers Take Plunge for Special Olympics
Officers take home top prize for costumes during Polar Plunge.
Grayslake Police officers braved the cold and jumped in with both feet during the recent Polar Plunget at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake. The event raises funds for the Illinois Special Olympics.
The event last weekend was one of 18 Polar Plunges taking place this year around Illinois. More than $1,379,500 was raised by more than 5,154 plungers in 2010, according to the Illinois Special Olympics website. The last Polar Plunge of 2011 will be take place March 19 in Lincoln, Illinois.
Local officers got into the fun of it, dressing like the cast from the Wizard of Oz from Tin Man to Dorothy. Their costumes landed the Grayslake Police Department first place in the costume-themed contest.
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Following the costume contest, participants ran into the frigid waters of the Illinois Lake to raise funds and awareness for the Illinois Special Olympics.
Larry Herzog, Grayslake police chief, said Polar Plunge’s sister event is the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is generally conducted in warmer weather.
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Karin A. Shepherd Named Civilian Police Employee of the Year
At a recent board meeting, Herzog presented Karin Shepherd as Civilian Police Employee of 2010.
“It’s easy to do a good job when you really like what you do,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd is a long-time Grayslake firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician who has also donated her time to Shop With a Cop programs and the department’s annual Police-Fire basketball fundraiser for children. She also volunteered her time reading to a local first-grade class.
Herzog called Shepherd a devoted citizen of Grayslake and thanked her for her positive attitude and teamwork.
Shawn M. Peterson Named Police Officer of the Year
At the same meeting, Herzog also presented Shawn Peterson as Grayslake’s police officer of the year for 2010. Peterson was thanked for his skills as a Juvenile Officer, as a bike officer, as an evidence custodian and as a shift commander. Peterson is also active in the Lake County Gang Task Force, the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team and in the Special Operations Unit.
Peterson thanked his family for their support and those he works with when accepting the award.
Both Shepherd and Peterson were selected by a committee of their peers.
