Thank You, First Responders

At age 8, Alex Doll was riding around the block on his bike when he lost his balance and fell off. A local police officer checked to see if he was alright. This seemingly small gesture left an impression.

Ottawa firefighter Austin Eby, still serving in the National Guard, expects to be deployed soon.

Adrain Banat, a son of Polish immigrants, found a new home with the Ottawa Fire Department.

Firefighter/EMT Cael Davis said if there was one saying he heard from a coach that rings out most today is “always give a 100 percent.”

All it took was a flyer asking for volunteers and Wendy Louis of Putnam signed up to take an EMT class through Putnam County.

Lucy and Gus have made a name for themselves in the Princeton community – they are the Princeton Police Department’s K-9 officers.

After graduating from Fieldcrest High School in 2005, Justin Arndt attended Indian Valley Community College for one year before transferring to Illinois State University where he played on the club hockey team.

Times-area readers sent in thank you messages to area first responders. Read their heartfelt notes here.

Illinois Valley community members sent in thank you messages to area first responders. Read their heartfelt notes here.

Bureau County community members sent in thank you messages to area first responders. Read their heartfelt notes here.

Recently retired Sandwich Police Department patrol and detective sergeant Jennifer Marcellis was appreciative of the opportunity to serve a community like Sandwich.