La Grange Police Duo Help Chiefs' Group Celebrate 50 Years

 The West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association celebrated its 50th anniversary the night of Sept. 10 with the swearing in of its first woman president and with the help of two members of the La Grange Police Department.

La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub and Jane Coleman, administrative assistant in the La Grange Police Department, along with George Graves, former Western Springs police chief, were on the 50th  anniversary committee that organized the banquet, which drew an estimated 150 people to Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St. in McCook.

The association, formed in 1960 as an organization representing the western suburbs, now mostly represents Cook County, but it initially included DuPage suburbs of Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge and Lombard. It has 175 members representing 35 municipalities, the Cook County Sheriff's police, Illinois state police and FBI. Citizens also may be associate members.

At 50th anniversary celebration, Judge Patrick T. Rogers swore in Pamela Church, Western Springs police chief, as the association's new president.

"I'm privileged and honored to lead this group," Church said.

She told of her experiences with the Downers Grove Police Department, where she rose from patrol officer to deputy chief, before being hired to lead the Western Springs police.

FBI Special Agent Pat Murphy read a congratulatory letter to Church from Robert S. Mueller, FBI director, and Holub read a letter from Lisa Madigan, Illinois attorney general, to the new officers, who include: Thomas Weitzel of the Riverside Police department, vice president; Steve Stelter of Brookfield, secretary and treasurer; Anthony Garvey of North Riverside, sergeant-at-arms; and Frank Wolfe of McCook, immediate past president.

"It's been a pleasure serving you. I hope I did my job," Wolfe said.

He also praised Holub, who he said gave him helpful advice during his term.

"He did a great job," Wolfe said, adding, "The heart of the association is Jane Coleman."

Holub also organized two trivia contests with the themes of television police show theme songs and police and detective television show questions with prizes of $25 Visa gift cards.

Other drawings were held and Rob Wardlaw, La Grange police investigator, won a 42-inch television set in a drawing.

Attendees received a special coin minted for the 50th anniversary, which Holub said is similar to a military challenge coin.

After the banquet, Holub, master of ceremonies and a past president, said, "I was very happy with the turnout. I think everyone had a good time."

Holub showed slide presentations of past and current members and later, photos of nearly every past president of the association, which include: La Grange police chiefs Howard Heinen, in 1962, and Roy J. Lane, in 1982; and from La Grange Park, Edward P. Palzer, 1965, and Daniel McCollum, 1999. Holub was president in 2001, when he was the police chief in River Forest. 

The association, which promotes networking and training for members, and take positions and extends endorsements on legislation affecting law enforcement, has sub-groups including: the West Suburban Juvenile Officers Association and West Suburban Detectives Association. Rob Wardlaw, La Grange police investigator, represented the detectives' group.