South Elgin names police officer of the year

Jim Creighton was named South Elgin's police officer of the year for his enthusiasm and aptitude in organizing events that benefit the community, officials said.

Creighton, a 12-year-veteran of the department, has taken the community relations program to new heights in South Elgin, Village President Steve Ward said.

Creighton worked to raise funds and organize South Elgin's largest block party during "National Night Out" starting in 2017. He serves as the "Too Good for Drugs" instructor at local elementary schools, helps read books to children at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, and worked with Fox Meadow Elementary School to help start a mentoring program for students.

He also took the lead in helping the police department raise $27,000 for Special Olympics.

"Officer Creighton's enthusiasm and attitude help bring the spirit of working with the police and community together," Sgt. Mike Doty said.

This especially showed during the "Santa's Helpers" event last year, when Creighton worked with police, fire and village employees to give 15 children a fun-filled day with breakfast, shopping for toys and lunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Doty said.

When the group Concerns of Police Survivors was on a two-day walk, Creighton arranged for the police department and residents to provide a picnic and greet the walkers with U.S. flags and a memorial table honoring their family members who died in the line of duty.

Creighton said he was "incredibly grateful" for the award, for which he also credited the work of others.

"I couldn't have done my job without my colleagues at the police department and in the village as a whole, the support of our generous business owners and perhaps most importantly, the residents of South Elgin."