By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur Police Sgt. Trent Busse has received the “Heart of the Community” award from ServPro.
Sgt. Busse was presented with an award which included a gift card in recognition of his dedication to the community.
The veteran Decatur police officer was nominated for the Northeast Indiana award by Chief Kevin Gerber.
Founded in 1967, the ServPro franchise system is most widely known for its fire and water cleanup and restoration services. One of its franchises is based in Fort Wayne.
In his letter of recommendation, Chief Gerber said Busse “has been a dedicated officer for the past 11 ½ years who routinely goes above and beyond for those he leads but also for the community he serves.”
Before being promoted to sergeant last July, Busse served nearly seven years as School Resource Officer (SRO) at North Adams Schools.
During that time, Gerber wrote, Busse “poured countless hours in the students and staff insuring their safety as well as building positive community connections with students from all walks of life as well as at all grade levels.
“Sgt. Busse helped establish the school K-9 program at Bellmont and brought the greatly beloved Koda into the school, allowing the students to name the dog and feeling more part of the school’s community. Upon Sgt. Busse’s promotion he turned Koda over to the new SRO so Koda could stay with the students as he
knew how important the dog was to the school community.”
A member of Bellmont’s 3A state championship football team and a standout wrestler during his time in high school, Busse “routinely helps with various athletic programs through the school and has a passion for football and wrestling, even taking some students aside to give them extra coaching and training,” Chief Gerber wrote.
The chief noted that Busse serves the police department as one of its defensive tactic instructors, insuring all officers are properly trained to handle any physical altercations and comply with strict state guidelines.
“Sgt. Busse takes great pride in his career, his character, and is always willing to answer the call from those in need despite the hardships it can create for his family,” Gerber said in his recommendation. “Sgt. Busse is a great role model for young men and women aspiring to be community servants and leaders.
“For these reasons and many more unmentioned, I believe Sgt. Busse is the clear choice for your Heart of the Community award.”
Busse and his wife, the former Dana Kaczmarek, are the parents of three children. She is a teacher at Bellmont High School.
