Law enforcement got the chance to bring out its big toys Thursday night as Tri-Town celebrated the police.
The Lake County, Schererville, Dyer and St. John police departments paraded by car, command unit helicopter and motorcycle in a sunset trek from Lake Central High School in St. John to the Patrician Banquet Hall on U.S. 30 in Schererville. Performances by the Lake County Pipe & Drum Corps, Nicole Jamrose and the Hazzard County Band topped off an evening where the community gathered to say “thanks.”
An exhausted Jeff Fryzel, who coordinated the event in 30 days, said he did it because officers have come under such scrutiny in recent months. He used to host a Sept. 11 event when he owned the former Northwoods Restaurant in St. John, but it was more an honor of the efforts put forth that day than the day-in, day-out dangers officers face.
“I don’t think people realize what officers go though every day,” Fryzel said. “I have a lot of friends in law enforcement, and I hate to see them get a bad rap every day.”
Fryzel’s brother, Mike Fryzel, is a retired police officer who’s now a town councilman in St. John.
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich addressed the crowd of new officers and old, those he’s sworn in and those who were sworn in with him. He said law enforcement has gone through many changes since he came up in the 1970s.
What hasn’t changed, he said, is that officers receive calls at all hours of the day or night to go into places no one else would dare and potentially face unspeakable danger.
“It takes special men and women to do that, but you know what? We’re here to serve and protect,” he said to applause. “We live in the greatest country in the world. We’ll work this thing out.”
Ryan Sanders, a rookie officer with the Dyer police who’s currently going through the police academy in Hobart, isn’t afraid of the current climate in which the police are working — not when he’s surrounded by love and respect, anyway.
“This is my blue-line family, and I know all these guys have my back,” he said. “I’m excited.”
Lake County police Deputy Chief Dan Murchek was touched by the support.
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“There’s a silent majority of people who do support the police, and it’s nice to see them come out,” he said.
Fryzel said he would make Thursday night’s event annual if the officers and community continue to want it. All aspects of the event — from use of the hall and the food to the music — were donated, he said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.