Thornton honors its Officer of the Year

THORNTON | The Thornton Police Association has honored Officer Robert Girard with its 2011 Police Officer of the Year award.

Girard served 11 years as a patrolman with the Thornton Police Department prior to his retirement in October.

Last year's award recipient, Detective Rick Wesolowski, presented Girard with the award during Monday's Village Board meeting and recounted Girard's roughly 35 years spent in law enforcement.

After serving in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965, Girard began his career with Burnham police before taking a job with the police department for the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He then served in both the Homewood and Thornton police departments.

"Not only is Bob an excellent police officer, Bob is also the chaplain," Wesolowski said. "We're going to really miss him on the street, but we're glad he's staying around as the chaplain."

Girard has served as chaplain for the Thornton Police and Fire departments since 2003 and also is chaplain for the Homewood Police Department.

"I actually have performed weddings for firefighters here and for a few of the officers," Girard said.

The camaraderie with the other officers and the excitement of not knowing what challenges each day will bring are two things Girard will miss most, he said.

"I didn't expect this and I'm very honored," Girard said. "There's other officers that really would be very deserving, so I'm humbled."

Wesolowski and Girard shared some humorous memories of Girard's time with the department, and Girard joked that he had to retire to have more time to pray for his fellow officers.

"They're great guys," Girard said. "The village should be very honored to have these individuals for your officers. You couldn't ask for a better crew."