Buffalo Grove Police Salute Bob Heer

After 33 years with the , Sgt. Bob Heer’s colleagues weren’t going to let him end his career without a little fanfare.

When he exited the building at 2:30 p.m. for what police called his “final walkout,” he was greeted by applause from a crowd of police officers and village employees. Heer’s eyes grew wide when he spotted his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Kaitlyn, among the well-wishers.

“He made a lot of friends through the years,” Buffalo Grove police Sgt. Scott Kristiansen said. “He’s going to be missed a lot.”

Heer said his years with the department passed by quickly. His roles included patrol officer, investigator and several years as ’s youth officer.

“I truly had a blast. It was fun,” Heer said.

What did he enjoy the most?

“All of it,” he said, adding that working with teens was particularly rewarding.

“I kind of feel as though I have made a different in people’s lives, and they have made a difference in mine,” he said.

His career, he said, “was truly, truly an honor.”

Heer’s colleagues announced his retirement by escorting him to Buffalo Grove’s village limits with a parade of police cars, with activated lights and sirens in his honor. The escort was continued by Wheeling police officers, who led him the rest of the way home.

“I thought it was the neatest thing,” he said shortly after arriving home. “It’s nice to know that people there appreciate you.”

“I wish I had washed my car,” he added.

While retirement will give him a little more time to focus on such tasks as car washing, Heer plans to stay active in law enforcement and in the community. He serves on Wheeling’s village board, a position he’s held since 1995. He said he also will continue to work part time for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; he joined the Transportation Security Administration at O’Hare six months ago.

“It’s time to look at different things in life, different horizons and meet new people,” he said.

That doesn’t mean he’ll be leaving Buffalo Grove behind. He said he’ll likely stay involved with the department, which will mark his retirement formally with a party in May.