Mundelein police officer remembered for kindness

Long before the term "community policing" became a well-known aspect of law enforcement, Mundelein Police Lt. Jerry Awe, lived it.

During his years as a patrolman on the street, Mr. Awe knew everyone in the village, and everyone knew him.

"He was an outgoing, friendly guy, who knew everyone in the community," says retired Mundelein Lt. Ed Kipp. "I never saw him treat anyone with anything but respect and dignity. He was just a good, decent guy."

Mr. Awe passed away on July 25, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The former 30-year Mundelein resident, most recently of Vernon Hills for the last 12 years, was 71.

In all, Mr. Awe spent 30 years with the Mundelein department, working his way up through the ranks to serve as a sergeant, and ultimately a lieutenant. Along the way, Mr. Awe served in the village's first canine unit, with his dog, "Judge," a German shepherd.

"He spent seven years with that dog," says his wife, Judy. "They did building searches and tracking. Judge would blow in Jerry's ear to wake him up when it was time to go work, except that he didn't understand when it was vacation time."

Mr. Awe was born in New Orleans, but he moved to Lake County as a boy, where during his youth he enjoyed his years with the Boy Scouts. As a young man, Mr. Awe served in the Army and was stationed in Germany during building of the Berlin Wall.

When he returned, he joined his father at the Lake Villa Rescue Squad, and joined the Mundelein force in 1964.

Deputy Chief Cameron Eugenis remembers Mr. Awe as his first supervisor in the department. He fondly remembers a tradition started by Mr. Awe for his subordinates, who worked under him on a holiday: They were invited to Mr. Awe's home for dinner.

"He was that kind of guy, he was concerned about the well being of his own family, but that extended to his police family as well," Eugenis says.

The gesture made Mr. Awe a popular senior officer among the ranks, and one who was approachable.

"He was a guy you could go to with questions about the job," Eugenis said. "He had a lot of institutional knowledge with what had done on in the department, that you couldn't read in a book."

In his retirement, Mr. Awe and his wife enjoyed traveling across the country, and spending time in their summer home in Minocqua, Wis.

Besides his wife, Mr. Awe is survived by sons, Jeff (Mary) and Jim.

Visitation begins at 10:30 a.m. today before a noon funeral service, both at United Methodist Church of Libertyville, 429 Brainerd Ave. in Libertyville.