Honoring Dad

May 1st of this year, not only was May Day, it was also Andy's and my 10 year anniversary.  As with many couples with children, it was just another day.  May 1st is also known as Law Day, and the St. Joseph County Bar Association honors one individual each year with the Liberty Bell Award.  This year's recipient just so happened to be my father.  I took half a personal day so I could head over to the county courthouse to be present for his award ceremony.  At the bottom, I've inlcluded the Sturgis Journal's write up about the day.

Dad receiving the award.  He looks so stoic because he's trying not to cry.

Director of Public Safety, Geoff Smith, speaking about how influential my dad was into his going into law enforcement and his years working with my dad.

Here he is smiling!

Mia giving grandpa a congratulatory hug.  Olivia was bummed I wouldn't let her skip school to come for the morning, but she had a big test that morning.

Elizabeth and Jane were some of dad's many fans in attendance.  That was the nicest tribute, was seeing all the people that came to see dad honored.  Not just Patty and family, but friends from church, colleagues from Glen Oaks, police officers from various agencies, former and current students of his.  They even had students of dad's stand up in the courtroom.  It was neat to see current police officers, the court magistrate, and young current college students stand to honor his work.

former Chief Alli telling tales from their days in the department together.

Mia and Jane enjoying time together.

Congratulations dad!  I couldn't be more proud!  So, this might not be the typical way most couples celebrate their anniversary, but my dad made me the woman, mother, and wife I am today, so it was only fitting that I be there for him.

James McNeil receives 30th annual Liberty Bell Award

The 30th annual St. Joseph County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award was presented to James McNeil on Thursday at the St. Joseph County courthouse.

 0

 Zoom

Justin Wright/JournalBar Association President Deborah Davis and District Judge Jeff Middleton present retired law instructor and Sturgis police officer James McNeil with the 30th annual Liberty Bell Award.

By Justin Wright
Twitter: @jwrightSJ 
Posted May. 1, 2014 @ 9:00 pm 

Centreville

The 30th annual St. Joseph County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award was presented to James McNeil on Thursday at the St. Joseph County courthouse.

Bar association president  Deborah Davis and district judge Jeffrey Middleton  presented the award to McNeil.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” McNeil said. “Looking at previous winners, I’m in good company.”

McNeil has been a law enforcement instructor at Glen Oaks Community College for the past 36 years and has decided to retire from teaching this month.

He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Glen Oaks in September 1978 and has taught hundreds of students through his introduction to law enforcement class. Some students went on to law-related jobs within the county.

Geoff Smith, Sturgis director of public safety, was a student of McNeil’s. Smith was at the presentation to congratulate McNeil on the award, as were several of McNeil’s friends, family and previous co-workers.

McNeil also taught criminal justice, criminal investigation, police administration and criminology during his tenure as a professor at Glen Oaks. He participated in the Glen Oaks summer youth college program and created a program called “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” for students to experience a criminal investigation.

From 1976 to May 2002, McNeil served with the Sturgis Police Department, holding titles of patrol officer, sergeant and detective sergeant. He investigated thousands of cases, including involvement in many major cases in the county.

Also noted was McNeil’s involvement within the Sturgis community, including his role as a business partner at Sturgis High School for more than 20 years, helping to create the St. Joseph County Crime Stoppers chapter and being involved in the Masons.

The Liberty Bell Award is awarded annually on May 1 in celebration of “Law Day.” It is given to a non-lawyer, individual or organization within St. Joseph County who has made an outstanding contribution in several law-related areas.

Those areas include promoting a better understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights; encouraging a greater respect for the law and courts;  stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so residents recognize their duties as well as their rights; contributing to the effective functioning of  private and governmental institutions; and fostering a better understanding and appreciation for law.

Davis said McNeil’s background, which includes his dedication to law enforcement and the education of young people, makes him a great fit to receive the Liberty Bell Award.

Read more: http://www.sturgisjournal.com/article/20140501/News/140509864#ixzz31QHERwd5