Officer Stephen Claussen

About Stephen:

He and his wife, Pamela, live in Merrillville and have a daughter.

Graduate of Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Employed by Town of Merrillville since February, 2007.

Member of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Merrillville.

Likes to fish and hunt.

Accomplishments: Officer Stephen Claussen is a patrolman for the Merrillville Police Department. He started his civil law enforcement career in November, 2005 with the Newton County Sheriff's Department and before that served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard involved in law enforcement and search and rescue. His general patrol duties include traffic enforcement and routine patrols throughout the town in one of its four districts. Claussen was named Officer of the Year for 2007 and received a plaque from the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized for apprehending a burglar in the process of breaking into an office in the Broadway corridor between 73rd Street and U.S. 30. The arrest closed 10 to 12 burglary cases. He also led the department in arrests for operating while intoxicated and was No. 1 in the patrol division for number of tickets issued. Claussen's dedication and service to the Town of Merrillville will be recognized March 28 at the Lake County Law Enforcement

Council Awards banquet at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza. "I really enjoy it," he said of his job. "It's a very diverse community and you get a chance to interact with a diverse group of people and the calls reflect that as well." Claussen is a member of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 168 in Merrillville.

Personal hero: "The officer I worked for in the Coast Guard, Justin McLaren. He basically taught me everything I know and that helped me build up to where I am now."

What I read: "Action and suspense novels. I'm reading Vince Flynn now."

Advice: "If you believe you can do it, you can do it."

Best thing about my job: "The people I work with, the guys in the department and the public, too."

People might be surprised to know: "I play the drums."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate a civil servant for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com