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Adam Bogart lives a life of service.
He has served his country as a medic in the U.S. Army. He serves the village of Channahon as a detective of the Channahon Police Department. He serves the community by contributing to or organizing fundraisers that help those in need. And not to be forgotten, he serves his family as provider and protector.
Bogart, a 1998 graduate of Minooka Community High School, was recognized by his peers as 2012 Officer of the Year for his work with the police department. Topping his career highlights, Bogart played a vital role in the homicide investigation of Joshua Terdic. Terdic was shot in his Channahon apartment on July 7, 2009.
The Terdic investigation led to four arrests and four convictions. Matthew Edwards was sentenced to 90 years in prison, Jason Orasco was sentenced to 75 years in prison, Mary Vetor was sentenced to 61 years in prison and Ashley Hill was sentenced to 11 years in prison for their roles in the murder.
But Bogart’s contributions go far beyond one award, one investigation or one fundraiser. The culmination of his efforts, in fact, prove to be worthy of admiration and recognition.
Q: You grew up in the Minooka-Channahon area and now serve this area with the Channahon Police Department. How would you describe your relationship with the Minooka-Channahon area?
A: It's certainly home. I feel more comfortable here than I have anywhere else in the world I have ever been. From the people to the lay of the land, it's home.
Q: Before your success as a police officer, you served with the U.S. Army. Why did you decide to enlist?
A: I grew up listening to my grandfather telling stories about his time in service with the U.S. Navy during WWII. I admired him for that and for his service, so the idea of serving my country as well was always there. Ultimately, I needed to do some maturing and I knew I could not get exactly what I needed by going to college or working a regular job. That's when I decided it was time for me to enlist.
Q: How long did you serve, what was your role and where did you serve?
A: All in all, I served just over eight years. I enlisted as a combat medic and served as such in several different roles. I was an infantry medic, an evacuation squad supervisor, and finished my career as a supervisor of an internal medicine clinic at an Army hospital. I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, Ft. Drum, N.Y., and Ft. Carson, Colo. From April 2003 to December 2003, and again from June 2004 to June 2005, I was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq during both tours.
Q: Looking back, how would you describe your experience serving overseas?
A: Enlightening, to say the least. I am very appreciative of each and every day I had during my time overseas, that is in both my garrison time in Germany and theater time in Iraq. I was able to see and experience things most American's will never experience, the good and the bad. Provided with those perspectives I understand how truly lucky and blessed I am to be an American.
Q: How did you meet your wife, and what does that connection mean to your relationship?
A: My wife and I met while we were both stationed in Ft. Drum, N.Y. We shared similar experiences throughout our military careers and we know the hardships each other have faced. My wife completed one tour in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. I completed two tours in Iraq. Our mindset, given those experiences, is if we made it through those days we can make it through any here at home.
Q: How and when did you decide to become a police officer?
A: While stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo., I was actually attending firefighter/paramedic school when I decided, for an unknown reason, to go on a ride along with the Colorado Springs, Colo., Police Department. From the moment I got into the squad car and started talking with the officer, I knew that was the career for me. I applied to Colorado Springs PD and Channahon. I withdrew from Colorado Springs' process when my interview there conflicted with a hiring evaluation with Channahon. A wise choice being I was offered employment with Channahon PD within a week or two of that evaluation.
Q: What were your goals when you first became an officer? What are your goals in the future?
A: When I first started, I just wanted to learn the job. There are so many aspects to policing and things can be overwhelming for some. My attitude was "watch and listen" to those officers with the experience and learn how to do the job. As I look to the future, I want to earn a promotion to sergeant and further the abilities of our Investigations Unit through enhanced training and exceptional leadership.
Q: You were named 2012 Officer of the Year in Channahon. What does this recognition mean to you?
A: The honor is awarded by all the police officers of the Channahon Police Dept. So for my peers to say I deserve the recognition like that is a great honor. Hopefully it means I'm doing a good job in the eyes of the public as well. I love what I do and enjoy working with everyone at such an outstanding police department.
Q: In whatever capacity you choose, whether as a veteran, officer or community member, what would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
A: I'm a dad. I have two children and want to be the best father I can be. The job presents challenges in that regard, but I ensure I do everything I can to be there for my children. Anyone can look at my service and say he was this and he was that. Ultimately, I want my kids to know I was there for them and always will be.
Q: Besides serving for your country and as a police officer, it seems you do much in the aspect of giving back to your community. First, in what ways have you served the community outside of work, and why do you feel it's important to take part in these activities?
A: Over the past year, I helped to set up a fundraiser and a golf outing for a fellow police officer's daughter who is fighting Leukemia. I participate in security meetings with local churches and schools, providing them with up to date practices to make them safer. I also participate in youth baseball.
I cannot point to one thing and say "this is why I do it." I just enjoy doing those things. Some are for causes, others are for fun, most of the time both.
Q: What advice would you give to a student looking to study law enforcement?
A: This job is all about people. Learn to communicate with them. Just because you meet the requirements to be hired as a police officer does not mean you are ready to become a police officer. Get out and experience life. Go through the ups and downs. Get a different perspective on the world. Meet people with experiences entirely different from your own and share your experiences with them. Learn to communicate with people who don't share the same perspective as you.
—— JUST FOR FUN ——
Q: What is your favorite hobby and how did you get into it?
A: Golf. My grandparents owned a driving range in Michigan. During summers, I would spend two weeks with them, most of the time on the range, either hitting golf balls or picking them up.
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I have no real favorite genre of music. I listen to most anything. What I listen to usually depends on what I'm doing at the time.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Field of Dreams.
——— JUST THE FACTS ———
WHO: Adam Bogart
AGE: 33
TOWN: Joliet, Ill.
EDUCATION: 1998 graduate of Minooka Community High School
JOB: Detective, Channahon Police Dept.
FAMILY: Wife, one son and one daughter
HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 Police Officer of the Year. He was involved in the homicide investigation of Joshua Terdic, who was shot in his apartment in 2009. The investigation led to four arrests and four convictions.