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Hazelwood Police Sergeant Honored As Special Olympics’ Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer
Sgt. Andy Eagan of the Hazelwood Police Department has been chosen as the `“2012 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer” by the St. Louis Metro Area of Special Olympics Missouri. He was presented with the award at the Opening Ceremonies of the St. Louis Metro Spring Games held recently at Westminister Christian Academy.
The master of ceremonies Capt. Jim Moran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department introduced Sgt. Eagan and mentioned that the award was one he held close to his heart since it involved honoring a fellow law enforcement officer. He noted that Sgt. Eagan serves as a member of the Maryland Heights Polar Plunge Committee for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO). Sgt. Eagan always lends a helping hand in the planning and execution of this fund-raising event, which explains why the Plunge runs so smoothly year after year, said Captain Moran.
Sponsored by Shop ‘n Save and WIL 92.3 FM, this year’s 7th Annual Polar Plunge was hosted by the Hazelwood and Maryland Heights Police Departments with support from the Pattonville Fire Department. A crowd of 662 participants showed up at Creve Coeur Lake on Feb. 23. All of them met the criteria of raising a minimum of $75 for a chance to plunge into the frigid 32° water. A group of Hazelwood police officers, named Team HPD, ranked as the second highest fund-raising team for the event. One team member, Patrolman Dan Bridges, ended up as the overall top fund-raiser by collecting $4,000
Sgt. Eagan also travels to the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Conference as often as possible, and supports the outreach of SOMO into the Hazelwood School District. He plays an instrumental role in organizing student groups to participate in the Polar Plunge event. This year, students from Hazelwood West High School (Team HWHS) took the plunge for SOMO. They ended up as the fourth overall highest fund-raising team, and the second highest high school fund-raising team.
He has been able to parlay his passion for volunteering into a career move as well. As a police sergeant, Eagan recently accepted a new position as the Hazelwood Police Department’s Neighborhood Action Team Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator. His responsibilities include recruiting and training members of the department’s Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS), managing the Hazelwood DARE program, and supervising the activities of Hazelwood’s Police Explorers Post #9217.
“Sgt. Eagan has made great strides in helping us build public trust between the department and our citizens through his involvement in Special Olympics Missouri and other charity activities,” said Hazelwood Police Chief Gregg Hall.
