The Gurnee Police Department has named Dan Ruth as its 2014 Officer of the Year. Each year, nominations for the award are submitted by fellow employees and supervisors. A committee made up of police officers reviews the nominations and then makes a selection, according to a news release.
Officer Ruth has served with the Gurnee Police Department since July 2013. Prior to working in Gurnee, he was a police officer in Round Lake Park.
Currently serving as one of Gurnee’s two K-9 officers, Ruth also specializes as a child safety seat technician, evidence technician, Explorer coordinator, and as an instructor for the Gurnee Citizen Police Academy, according to the release.
Ruth was selected as 2014 Officer of the Year for his excellent work ethic, proactive approach to law enforcement, dedication to traffic safety, and his community involvement.
The release states some of the accomplishments that earned him this award include starting and leading Gurnee’s first Explorer post, along with Officer Chris Lindahl; organized a campaign to provide gifts, a police and fire parade, and a police escort for a Make-A-Wish recipient; attended and assisted with the 2014 Make-A-Wish Gala; is a volunteer coach for first- and second-grade hockey team; participated in many charity events benefiting A Safe Place and The Special Olympics, among others; created a presentation on sex-offender registrations for neighborhood watch groups; and was elected second vice president of the North Central Region Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI)
Officer Ruth was recently recognized by the North Shore Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security for his accomplishments that made him Gurnee’s 2014 Police Officer of the Year, according to the release. He, along with other local winners, was presented with a plaque at the 2nd annual Law Enforcement and Private Security Appreciation Dinner at Ristorante Abruzzo in Deerfield on Oct. 8.
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