Schumaker named Owatonna Police Officer of the Year

On Thursday, May 28, Zachary Schumaker was awarded the honor of “Police Officer of the Year.” Moonlighter’s Exchange Club of Owatonna sponsored this recognition banquet, which was held at the VFW in Owatonna at 6 p.m. 
Many community members and members of the Owatonna Police Department attended this banquet to honor Schumaker and the outstanding service that he has extended to the Owatonna community. 
Schumaker was handed the award by Moonlighter’s Exchange Club’s President-Elect Ben Cass and President of Moonlighter’s Exchange Club Trudy Pierce. On accepting the award, Schumaker said “This award means so much to me and my family. The department, they’re not just co-workers; they’re family to me at this point.” He also thanked his family, who were in attendance, for their support. 
Schumaker is from Albert Lea, and he received his bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement from Minnesota State University in Mankato. On Oct. 24, 2012, Schumaker became a full-time police officer with the Owatonna Police Department after working part time for a while.
Schumaker serves the community in various ways. He has assisted the Explorer’s Program as an advisor for the past three years. This program allows high school and early college aged students to learn about the scenario-based work of police officers. He has also participated in “Shop with a Cop,” Big Brother’s Big Sister’s “Fishing with a Cop,” and Safety Camp. Police Chief Keith Hiller also spoke to the quality of Schumaker’s performance, especially in traffic safety. 
The banquet was kicked off by a welcome from Cass and Pierce of the Moonlighter’s Exchange Club. Pastor of First Baptist Church Cindy Halverson led the invocation. Owatonna Police Department gave the Presentation of Colors. 
Special Guests Mayor Tom Kuntz spoke to the crowd and said “As the mayor of Owatonna, I couldn’t be prouder of our law enforcement.” 
The keynote speaker for the evening was writer, speaker and storyteller Al Batt. Batt writes nature and humor columns for various newspapers, and he has experience with radio talk shows. Batt had the crowd laughing as he told stories about his childhood interpretations of police officers and teenage experiences of “dragging main.” 
The evening was dedicated to celebrating and honoring the work of the community’s law enforcement. Both active and retired members of law enforcement were also recognized. “The men and women in uniform, you are all like Zachary. You strive for excellence every day,” said Hiller. “I couldn’t be more proud to work with you every day.”