Groesch Retires From Yorkville Police Department After 27 Years

When Barry Groesch retired from the on Feb. 15, he ended a law career of three decades.

But if Groesch had his way, that career would have started earlier.

"I joined the Kendall County sheriff's office as a deputy in 1981. The only reason it took me that long was that I legally couldn't have joined before I turned 21," said Groesch.

Groesch spent most of his time in law as a member of the Yorkville Police Department. He joined the local department in 1984. By the time his 27 years here drew to a close, Groesch had achieved the rank of sergeant.

He also brought a series of innovations to the Yorkville Police Department. He pioneered community policing in Yorkville, working closely with neigborhood groups to discover exactly what problems they wanted their local police officers to target.

Groesch also ran the Kendall County Criminal Justice Explorer Post 1155 -- a scouting program for older Boy Scouts interested in law enforcement careers -- for 25 years, and, as an active supporter of D.A.R.E., was a frequent visitor to Yorkville schools where he taught students strategies designed to help them avoid drugs and alcohol.

In other words, Groesch didn't spend his law-enforcement career behind a desk. He spent it out in his community.

And this, his many friends said, will be sorely missed at the Yorkville Police Department.

"Barry was just an outstanding officer," Yorkville Police Chief Richard Hart said. "The main difference with Barry and most officers was that he was able, with programs such as community policing and D.A.R.E., to think outside the box. He was innovative. He had become known throughout the state for this."

As an example, Hart points to the time when the needed a new building. Groesch jumped in his car, found a vacant building and then helped draft a contract that got the pantry into this new location.

Groesch also created Kendall County's Unwanted Medication Disposal program, giving the county's residents proper ways to dispose of the medications that they no longer need.

Hart also pointed to Groesch's time leading the Explorer Scouts. Many of Groesch's former scouts later went on to their own careers in law enforcement, he said.

Groesch points to his work with the community as the highlight of his long career.

When Groesch started his career, though, most police officers had little interest in chatting with members of the community. Instead, they wanted to fight crime without interference from regular citizens.

Groesch, though, made sure that his career in law would be different. Happily, so did many other officers of Groesch's generation.

"There used to be this saying in police work: 'We're the police and you're not,'" Groesch said. "That whole attitude needed to change. I feel that my generation of police officers are the ones who changed that through programs like community policing.

"We worked with the community. We worked with neighborhoods and businesses to help solve problems. Strong-arming your way though it is not going to work. Things have changed. Today, the police and the community have to work together as a team."

Groesch didn't limit his community involvement to police matters. For instance, he remains a member of the Polar Plunge committee for the Starved Rock Area Special Olympics.

The Polar Plunge lives up to its name: Participants race, usually in early March, and then take a jump into Loon Lake at Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville. Funds raised during the event go to support the Special Olympics.

Cheryl DePaepe, area director for the Starved Rock Area Special Olympics, has worked with Groesch to organize and promote the event for the last three years. This February, she and Groesch visited the studios of WSPY's Fox Valley Today show to promote the Plunge.

DePaepe said that she is happy that Groesch, despite his retirement, has pledged to remain on the Polar Plunge committee.

"I'm thrilled that Barry's still going to be with us," DePaepe said.

And not only will Groesch help DePaepe plan the plunge, he'll also help keep her and fellow committee members in good health. Groesch recently noticed that DePaepe had the habit of bringing cakes and cookies to committee meetings. As a bit of a health advocate, Groesch began stumping for healthier snacks.

DePaepe compromised: She will now bring a combination of sweets and grapes, water, apples and other healthy treats.

"Barry is a great guy to work with," DePaepe said. "He has a great sense of humor. And he is very committed to this community."

Groesch said that he's not ready to retire completely yet. He's only 51, young to leave the workforce. After taking some time off, Groesch said, he plans to look for another full-time job, perhaps in the marketing field.

"Marketing, really, is what I did with police work," Groesch said. "I'd like to continue that. I did my marketing work with the police department. Now it's time for the next chapter. Now it's time to do it in the private sector."