Legion names Kurtz top officer

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, June 23, 2008

Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. John Kurtz will add his name to the list of recipients of the Henkes-Mortensen Law Officer of the Year Award this year.

The American Legion award is given to one officer each year in memory of late Otter Tail County Sheriffs Jack Henkes and Carlton Mortensen.

Recipients of the award are nominated by officers in local police agencies. A board made up of family members of Henke and Mortenson and American Legion representatives choose the recipient from the list of nominees.

Kurtz serves as the station sergeant of the Fergus Falls Patrol Station.

He first heard the news a week ago through a phone call from Schulz. Because of his colleagues involvement in the selection process, Kurtz feels all the more privileged.

“The most important thing is that our peers vote for us,” Kurtz said. “That’s impressive...that’s important.”

Colleagues from all police departments expressed a common theme when it came to describing Kurtz’s work ethic, said Bill Schulz, who helped coordinate the selection process.

“He leads more by example,” Schulz said. “He gets right out there — out front — doing it with folks.”

Kurtz’s colleagues also recognize his dedication to sharing credit for a job well done. Many nomination forms mentioned that, “he always shows credit for accomplishments,” Schulz said.

And he continues to do all of that despite a serious accident incurred on the job this past winter. While responding to a call of a tipped semi trailer on an icy Interstate 94 in December, Kurtz’s vehicle was struck by another semi trailer.

“Doctors, for some time, didn’t think he’d really walk without crutches,” Kurtz said.

Six months later, Schulz is doing just fine. Although he took a few months off to recover from surgery, he’s back in full force, resuming normal duties.

But he won’t be at it for much longer. After 24 years on the job, Kurtz is planning on retiring next year. That makes the timing of this award all the more important.