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 After
a rigorous selection process, CrimeStoppers of Sangamon/Menard
Counties announced the new Coordinator to take us into
the next millennium. Meet Officer George William Neale,
but he prefers to be called Bill. Bill is a lifetime
resident of Springfield and is single with the time
and plenty of ambition to devote to CrimeStoppers.
When Bill is not busy being a police officer, he enjoys
hunting, boating and water-skiing. Bill holds an Associates
Degree in Social Justice and a is current member of
the National Rifle Association.
Bill followed in his fathers footsteps becoming a police
officer. His father retired as a lieutenant after 23
years of service. His father then took the position
of Warden of the City Jail. As a kid, Bill spent many
hours at the jail visiting his father and watching police
officers bringing in criminals. Arresting criminals
was sure to be Bill's destiny.
At age 16, Bill began working in the City Police Garage
helping mechanics with the repairs to squad cars. He
soon became a full mechanic. Then, at age 21, Bill's
career as a police officer began when he became a part
time officer for the Park District. After a short two
months, he became a full time officer working the midnight
shift and was promoted to Sergeant the last four of
his seven years with the Park District. On June 29,
1988 Bill was hired by the Springfield Police Department.
He has spent the last ten and one half years working
the midnight shift and doing his part to get Springfield
criminals off the street.
When you speak to Bill it soon becomes evident that
he is up for the task as Coordinator. As he says "I
love being a cop and am committed to fighting crime
in Sangamon and Menard Counties". Bill said he
was "ready for a change" and he likes the
fact that CrimeStoppers is a positive versus a negative
approach to fighting crime.
Bill was officially announced as Coordinator for CrimeStoppers
of Sangamon/Menard Counties on December 14, 1999.
Kudos to Bill Pongracz and Desiree Logsdon for their
hard work in the selection process. Bill will be a fine
asset to CrimeStoppers of Sangamon/Menard Counties.
In May of 2001, Officer Bill Neale was named Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year.
Previous Crime Stoppers Coordinators:
Brenda G. Thompson, Bill
Neale, Keith Ushman,
Heidi Homeier, Sarah
L. Iaienarro, Paula Morrow
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