This is Morris Patrolman Steve Huettemann, also known as Hooty. He is not only a friendly man, but he is also one of Morris police's finer officers.
He goes beyond his required duties as a police officer and serves as one of the "public relations" officers by running events such as Run the Beat and last Saturday's child safety checkpoint.
If it sounds like I am sucking up a bit it is because I am. No I'm not trying to get out of a speeding ticket. I'm just trying to make up for some "hard feelings" I may have caused.
You see when I was going through the Citizens Police Academy Hooty taught a class on Juvenile Law, but it didn't make it to my series in Southwest Weekly. Only because of lack of space, not due to lack of interest.
But now every time I walk into the police station Chief Brent Dite and Hooty love to give me a hard time about it. Don't get me wrong I love a good joke, but I am a chick and am feeling guilty.
So I thought I'd share his lovely photo with all of you and take some time to talk about his most recent contribution to society.
On Saturday Sept. 20 Hooty coordinated an event as part of National Seat Check day. A checkpoint was set up at the Morris Jewel Osco where parents, or anyone who may use a car seat, stopped to have the installation checked by a certified seat technician.
Hooty and his other fellow officers checked 40 seats that day and only 2 were properly installed on arrival. An additional 3 were discovered to be defective seats and were replaced with seats donated by IDOT.
This truly was a life saving event.
In addition to Hooty's hard work, credit is also given to officers Greg Belt, Eric Washburn, Paul Burke, Minooka Sgt. Sean Beeler and Grundy County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Cole. Morris Fire Department representatives were also present.
In order to hold the event some financial assistance was needed and taken care of by the local State Farm Insurance Company and Country Insurance Financial Services.
And of course after all that hard work the officers were hungry so lunch was provided by the Morris Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches.
And even though his picture is on the World Wide Web, I am sure that Hooty will not be satisfied until his name is in actual print so look for his picture in Southwest Weekly Oct. 3.
Mallory Medved is an assistant managing editor of weekly publications for
the Sun-Times News Group. She helps cover the Lincoln-Way area and towns
southwest of Joliet. Being naturally nosy has led her to a career in
journalism and fulfilled her dream of getting paid to read. Being a new
homeowner and a future bride, she's also perpetually broke, but enjoys
hearing about other people in the same situation. She lives in Plainfield
but is a native of New Lenox.
Christina Chapman is a Will County resident who desperately wants to live in Grundy County. But since she lost that battle with her boyfriend when they bought a house, she makes due covering Grundy County news for The Herald News in Joliet. When not covering municipal meetings, school events and finding the truth behind the latest coffee talk, she is trying to balance life as a young home owner who is fighting the stereotype that she is living in sin because she is not yet married. She hopes to share with you her perspective on life and the news in hopes that you’ll share yours.
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