Sioux City police chief awarded Patriotic Award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeremy J. McClure
  • 185th Air Refueling Wing
Sioux City, Iowa --  
Rex Mueller, Chef of Police for the Sioux City Police Department, was presented a Patriotic Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, ESGR during a brief Thursday in the City of Sioux City Council Chambers.

Mueller was nominated for the award due to his support of officers on the department that were deploying with the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing, said Larry Harrington, ESGR representative.

The 124 officer Sioux City Police Department has 13 officers that are members of the 185th, two of whom deployed this year and several others fulfilling other guard commitments.

“I am happy to accept this on behalf of the department but we’re not really the heroes in this deal, it’s the duel service officers,” said Mueller. “I am very much in awe of all of our service members who are not only just happy to serve as police officers, to serve their city and state, but need to serve their country.”

Several members of the 185th ARW were on hand to help present the award.

“Without our community, without our employers, we could not do our job,” said Col. Lawrence Christensen, commander of the 185th. “Most of our members are part-time…and have jobs in the community. If they don’t have a job, they are not going to stay here and we can’t do what we do.”

During the past year, the unit has deployed nearly 300 members throughout the globe. Most the deployed are traditional Guard members and have civilian careers.

ESGR is a Department of Defense program design to promote cooperation and support between reserve components of the military and civilian employers. If you would like to recognize you employer for their support, visit www.esgr.mil.

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