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James Reece of Bloomingdale, (back row center) surrounded by family and friends, was sworn in this month as the Hampshire Police Department’s newest officer. Reece earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Illinois State University and has worked as an engineer for Grand Victoria Casino Elgin for the past five years. He will be going to the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois-Champaign in January. Reece’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by Hampshire Police Chief Brian Thompson and other Hampshire officers; his parents, Matt and Susanne; his sisters, Laura and Sarah; his girlfriend, Chloe Ross; and friends Mike and Rosa Kirstie.

Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.