Lemont Police Start Benevolence Fund to Help Comrades, Community

While talk of creating a benevolence fund to support fellow officers had been swirling around the for years, it wasn’t until a fellow comrade was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that the idea took flight.

In August, a group of officers held the first meeting of the Lemont Police Benevolence Association, and elected Sgt. Thad Mezyk as president, Det. Scott Hugo as vice president, and Officer Joe Buczyna as treasurer.

Through the organization, members hope to be able to cover the expenses for items such as flowers for sick officers and their family members, flowers for funerals, food, and trips to the hospital.

“Basically whatever the families need,” Mezyk said.

The officer currently battling cancer will need to travel out of state for treatment and members hope they can help fund that. Eventually, they would also like to donate to organizations such as Special Olympics, which the Lemont Police Department supports, as well as the village’s Halloween Hoedown and other community events.

"Our first priority is to take care of our officer,”  Mezyk said. “Hopefully in time we'll be able to do a lot more."

To raise money for the association, members quickly put together a golf outing and dinner event which was held Tuesday at the , 13070 McCarthy Road.

"The golf outing was a lot of work, but we're hoping it gives us the jumpstart we need,” Mezyk said. “We're starting from scratch so we're trying to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position where we can really make an impact."

Lemont Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy said he is proud of his officers and their work on the benevolence association.

“They see misfortune all day long at work,” he said. “When it strikes one of their own they band together. That says a lot about their character.”

The 41-year-old officer battling colon cancer is married with three children — one of whom is also facing a serious illness.

“So (the family is) battling it on two fronts,” Shaughnessy said. “The officers wanted to help out an officer and his family when they’re in need.”

Members of the Lemont Police Benevolence Association are grateful for the support they have gotten so far.

“It means a lot to the department and the officer's family,” Mezyk said.

One local business is also stepping up to help.

During a week in November, , 115 Stephen St., will hold the “Cop Cuts” fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Lemont Police Department Benevolent Fund.

The public can get haircuts for $5, and police officers and firefighters can get their hair cut for free, with tips being donated to the fund.

The fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Nov. 18, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Appointments can be made by calling 630-243-0387.

Michele Zaper, owner of The Nail Inn and School Of Cosmetology, said each month she encourages her students to take on fundraisers for different organization.

“We have approximately 30 high school students here and this is basically giving them a chance to give back,” she said.

Zaper said the fundraiser is also helping to forge a relationship between the students and the police department.

"I thought it was important that the kids see the officers on a different level — they can see that they're human and that they need help too and they can do something to help," she said. "Unfortunately sometimes teenagers see cops as the bad guys, so this is a way they can see them from a whole different perspective."

Members of the Lemont Police Department are excited to see the benevolence association come to fruition.

"This is a really positive thing for the department to be able to help our own officers and their families,” Mezyk said. “I'm glad we've finally gotten this off the ground and will be able to make a difference."

For more information about the Lemont Police Benevolence Association, including how to make a donation, contact Sgt. Mezyk at 630-257-2229, ext. 2425.