Corporal Retires After 20 Years At DuPage Sheriff's Office

WHEATON, IL — “I always thought I should have been a photographer," Corporal Terri Albright told Patch. "I will sit for hours to get a picture of a bird." This patience and dedication to the things she's passionate about may not have led to a career behind the lens for Albright, but they have served her well in her 20 years with the DuPage County Sheriff's Office (DCSO).

Albright, who retires Friday, has poured her heart into her two decades on the force, providing community outreach, animal therapy and other initiatives.

Albright told Patch people often ask her how she has the energy for work she does with community members. She said, "When my heart’s calling me to go there, it’s not work. It's something that I'm giving back."

“I just want to do the good thing," she said. "The right thing.”

Since joining DCSO in 2004, Albright has worked in the county jail, handled dispatch, been a patrol officer and a team trainer. While working 12-hour shifts as a patrol officer in 2015, Albright earned her Master's degree in mental health counseling. This allowed her to train other officers in crisis intervention and personal wellness.

She also provides part-time counseling to domestic abusers in Elgin.

“We all get into pitfalls, and sometimes you don’t get out of them, and that’s the people we see struggling in the world," Albright told Patch.

Perhaps Albright's favorite role in her 20 years with DCSO has been working with Julia Comfort Dog. Albright brought Julia onto the force after meeting the young golden retriever at her congregation, Kingdom of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin.

The sheriff's office agreed to let Albright bring Julia to schools, nonprofits, senior homes and other places throughout the county.

"In one year, she had almost 74 visits," Albright told Patch.

Julia and Albright have participated in Cop on a Rooftop, attended police and K-9 funerals together and held story time for inmates at DuPage County Jail.

"I’m the chauffeur," Albright said. "Julia just kind of goes and does what Julia does... And what she does is bring a lot of joy. A bit of respite."

Respite is something Albright is looking forward to in the immediate days following her retirement, but don't think that's going to slow her down.

“Now that I’m going to be retired, I’ll be able to take her more," she said.

First, she plans to "take about 30 days to just kind of relax and regroup because it’s been a kind of busy 20 years."

Patch asked Albright about her favorite moments and notable accolades during the past two decades and she responded with characteristic humility.

"I’ve got plaques and stuff like that… I don’t know," she said, explaining that often officers receive awards for simply "doing our jobs."

Another part of Albright's job that she's cherished has been helping to coordinate the DCSO's efforts to raise money for the Special Olympics. She's helped sell T-shirts and organize the Law Enforcement Torch Run. She's even jumped into freezing cold water several times for the Polar Plunge fundraiser.

There's no doubt Albright has left a lasting impact on the community with her compassion and dedication to help others. As she prepped to remove the last of her belongings from her squad car, Albright reflected about the impact that her everyday interactions with Sheriff James Mendrick and other officers has had on her.

"The police officers that I’ve worked with have been some of the very best people I know. They have hearts of gold," she said. "They want to help those who have been victimized. They want to be there for their community. They would run toward gunfire to help their communities."

She added, "If I have tears at all, it’s just that I’m not gonna be seeing those guys every single day."