‘I’m in a dream job’: Mount Prospect’s Officer Friendly is also a Shining Star

Officer Friendly is a time-honored tradition in the Mount Prospect Police Department.

Many who grew up in the village have fond memories of Officer Bill Roscop when he served in that role. Among them is Greg Sill, who today serves as the department’s crime prevention officer and carries on the Officer Friendly tradition.

“I’m in a dream job,” said Sill, who lives in the village with his wife, Leah, and daughters, Audrey, 11, and Elena, 7. The family recently welcomed a new member, the police department’s therapy dog, Charlie.

“I love the ability to be able to connect with everyone, all different age groups,” Sill said. “I’m so thankful that I get to go in and meet the kids of our community in school and talk with them about being safe and making good choices.”

Sill will be honored for his service on Feb. 3, when he’ll receive the village’s Public Service Award at the annual Shining Stars Gala.

Besides his work with the town’s youth, Sill also is helpful to older residents, doling out advice on home safety and security, and visiting senior living communities to talk about scams.

Growing up near Golf and Busse roads and attending Robert Frost Elementary School, Holmes Junior High School and Prospect High School, Sill knew early on that he wanted to be a police officer.

As part of a high school law class, he went on a police ride-along, had lunch with the chief of police and was given a look at the inner workings of the department.

After receiving a bachelor of arts in criminal justice from Ohio Northern University, he tested with the Glenview and Mount Prospect departments. As luck would have it, Mount Prospect’s hiring process moved quicker.

“For me, this was my ideal spot, because this is my hometown,” he said.

After he was sworn in on May 5, 2003, he started as a patrol officer. Five years into the job, he heard a rumor that Roscop was retiring, and expressed his interest in the post to then-Chief John Dahlberg. At the time, the job of Officer Friendly was shared between two people. As fate would have it, Roscop remained and Sill filled the other spot when it opened up.

“I would periodically remind him that he was my Officer Friendly when I was a young kid. He absolutely loved that.”

Sill said he enjoys hearing the kids scream “Officer Friendly” when they see him in the hallway. He also likes reconnecting with Prospect High School students who recognize him from their grade school days.

Sill’s life changed last year hen the police department adopted Charlie, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, as a therapy dog. Charlie goes out into the community and also helps officers.

“If they have been on a difficult call or having a rough time, (they can) come into the station and spend a little bit of time with Charlie, throw the ball for him, sit and pet him, just to help them ease what they’re going through or what they have experienced out there on the streets,” Sill said.

Sill said he is grateful for the Shining Star recognition, but he added, “This award is not for me. It’s really an award for everyone in the police department and everyone that’s been that factor in my life.”