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Schaumburg police mark 55th anniversary with poignant reunion

Schaumburg police's "Past Meets Present" get-together for retirees and current officers Friday was a reunion for the department's 55th anniversary, but also a poignant reminder of the restoration of a proud legacy of service.

Having recovered from the blow to morale caused by the arrest of three undercover officers on drug conspiracy charges in January 2013, all eras of the department's history came together to acknowledge the lessons learned from both success and failure.

While newer hires got to meet the officers who made the Schaumburg Police Department the first accredited force in Illinois, the retirees were able to see the organization in safe hands again after the dispiriting headlines of two years ago.

"I've heard a lot of good things today," said Paul Kutylo, a social worker at the department for 26 years before his retirement 11 years ago. "I've always been proud to have worked for this place and the village of Schaumburg."

The approximately 50 retirees who attended ranged from Dan Coursey, in 1963 the department's fifth hire, to Sgt. John Nebl, who stepped down as public information officer at the end of 2014.

Former police chief Brian Howerton, who retired in 2013, made his first visit back to the police station since then.

"It's exciting to see the people I've seen since I was a 20-year-old kid when I first hired," Howerton said.

Friday's reunion also gave him his first look at his photo on the wall among the other retired chiefs.

"It's a little eerie because you never expect to see your picture on the wall when you're working here," he said. "And I was here 32 years."

Current Police Chief James Lamkin said the changes in technology and procedure that police officers developed over the past 55 years were often remarked upon during the preparations for the reunion.

But it was the people who stood out most of all, he added, and they were honored in a moving slideshow and video of images from throughout the decades.

Deputy Chief Dan Roach, who was heavily involved in the preparations, verbalized the significance of opportunities like Friday's reunion.

"We are part of a proud and honorable tradition," Roach said. "There are so many amazing people who have walked these halls and worked for this police department."

He invited the retirees to revisit the once familiar halls to see the old photos that were displayed to highlight the department's history.

"We all walk down this path together," Roach said. "Enjoy this celebration and this time we have with one another."

  Schaumburg Police Chief James Lamkin addresses the gathering of retirees and current employees. Eric Peterson/epeterson@dailyherald.com
  Retirees and current employees gather for the Schaumburg Police Department's "Past Meets Present" reunion Friday. Eric Peterson/epeterson@dailyherald.com
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