Local officer retires after 21 years of service
School Resource and Law Enforcement Officer Eric Sullivan has retired after serving Guttenberg residents for over 21 years. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Officer Eric Sullivan began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Hazel Green, Wis., in 1996. He was hired by the Guttenberg Police Department in 2003.
Education and training
Sullivan received his law enforcement training at Southwest Technical College in Fennimore, Wis., and acquired addition schooling for firearms instructor training; School Resource Officer training, and ALICE instructor training, naming only a few.
Officer Sullivan, who has served the citizens of Guttenberg for over 21 years, officially retired on July 11. During his time with the Guttenberg Police Department he has been a Community Service Officer; the Christmas Adopt a Family Coordinator, and the School Resource Officer.
Service to others
"Although it sounds cliché, I wanted to help people and my community," Sullivan told The Press. "That's my main reason for wanting to get into law enforcement."
Sullivan could not single out any career highlights, but in honesty said his whole career has been one big highlight. "Being a police officer has often been described as having a front row seat to the greatest show on earth, just because of what you see and the difference you can make," he commented.
Changes throughout his career
Officer Sullivan has seen many significant changes during his successful law enforcement career, but none so much as the general attitude toward law enforcement. "When I first started working, the feeling toward officers was one of respect and admiration," he noted. "Little kids wanted to be police officers and even dressed up in uniforms for Halloween. But over the past few years there has been indifference, hostility, and disrespectful attitudes. With that being said, the citizens of Guttenberg have been wonderful. I cannot say enough about how kind and helpful they have been and how much courtesy they have shown me over my tenure at the police department."
Sullivan plans to fully enjoy his retirement and spend as much time as possible with his family. "I want to thank all the citizens of Guttenberg for making the time I spent there absolutely wonderful," he concluded with gratitude.
