Arlington Heights detective honored as village's top cop

Peter Hamrick's two sons -- Colin, 15, and Brennan, 11 -- can't get away with much.

Their dad is an Arlington Heights police officer who knows just about everything going on around town.

"Before they've done it, I know about it," Hamrick said.

Not that he's worried. If his boys are anything like their dad, they'll turn out just fine.

Hamrick was named the 2007 L. W. "Bill" Calderwood Officer of the Year on Thursday. The award is named after a former Arlington Heights police chief who led the department from 1958 to 1976 and who was a Rotarian.

More than 150 people attended the annual luncheon hosted by members of the Arlington Heights Rotary Noon Club at the Wellington Restaurant's Arlington Room.

Those in attendance included Hamrick's family, police department colleagues, Arlington Heights village officials, and business leaders and Rotary members. In addition, 13 members of Calderwood's extended family were there.

A 1982 graduate of Arlington High School, Hamrick went on to get a degree from Harper College. In 1986, he joined the Army as a military police officer and served for four years. In 1991, he worked for the Island Lake Police Department before joining the Arlington Heights Police Department in 1996, where he's been ever since.

In Arlington Heights, Hamrick has been a juvenile officer and police counselor. He also started the department's Shop With a Cop program and is on the bicycle unit.

During his speech, Hamrick thanked his wife, Jennifer. The two live in Arlington Heights and have been married for 21 years.

"We met here in Arlington Heights at a Dominick's," he said. "I can't imagine my life without her. She's my best friend."

The 2006 Arlington Heights officer of the year was Tim Sheehan.