Behind the Badge: National Police Week Recognizes Officers’ Service, Sacrifice

This week is National Police Week, which recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the country.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is placing blue ribbons on its marked squad cars to show support for the week, May 13-19. National Police Week pays special recognition to those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

The public is welcome to pick up a blue ribbon from the Sheriff’s Office Administration Office, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, to join deputies in recognition of the week.

It is also a good time to learn about the people behind the badge in your local police department. The Huntley Police Department has geographical beats and four sergeants are assigned to handle the areas and officers.

Check with Huntley Patch this week to learn more about the sergeants and who covers your neighborhood.

Today, Sgt. Michael Hewitt is profiled. He is the Area No. 1 sergeant:

Hewitt graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy in 1988 and worked for the Hampshire Police Department until 1990, when he began his career with the Huntley Police Department. Prior to that, he was a volunteer paramedic for Elburn Ambulance and a dispatcher for the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

Hewitt is also a graduate of the Northwestern Traffic Institute School of Staff and Command. He has been a police sergeant since 1996, a DARE officer, administrative sergeant, and patrol sergeant.

He has an associate of applied science paralegal degree from Elgin Community College and a bachelors of arts in management from Benedictine University in Lisle.

Area No. 1 includes:

• Village limits on the south;
• Village limits to the west;
• Kreutzer Road on the north — Route 47 to the west;
• Includes all of Sun City and Huntley High School.

To contact Sgt. Hewitt, call 1-847-515-5334.