American Legion Officer of the Year.

Police Officer Aaron Dilks of the St. Louis County Police Department, City of Fenton Precinct was selected as the American Legion’s officer of the year for the State of Missouri. 

Officer Dilks has worked with the Department since 1999.   In February of 2007, Officer Dilks was assigned to the position of Neighborhood Policing Officer in the City of Fenton Precinct.

A NPO’s foremost responsibility is to identify areas of concern voiced by citizens of the community and to construct proactive resolutions.

Among his specific duties are coordinating neighborhood watch programs, assisting in the planning of Citizen's Police Academies, and teaching D.A.R.E. at the Uthoff Valley Elementary School and St. Paul School.

Officer Dilks also fits bicycle helmets as a part of the helmet giveaway program, conducts Bike Rodeos, in which neighborhood children are trained in the safe operation of a bicycle, conducts safety presentations for various child and citizen groups, and assists in educating parents on the proper use of child safety seats.

In his free time, Officer Dilks, along with his wife, enjoys coaching his three daughters in their various sporting and scholastic adventures.

That is my biography that was read at the award ceremony.  There are hundreds of excellent hard working officers all deserving awards. 

Some officers focus on DWI enforcement, others traffic enforcement.  

Honestly, I won this award for simply doing my job.  

The American Legion was looking for a “well-rounded law enforcement officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of his or her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement."

I truly enjoy my position as NPO in the City of Fenton.  This position allows me to create relationships with residents, hear their concerns and address any problems they have. 

My position also allows me to teach DARE.  I truly enjoy teaching and have a new respect for teachers.  I love being in a public place and hearing, “Hello Officer Aaron”, from one of my DARE students. 

At least I made enough of an impression on that student that years later he/she still remembers my name.   I am honored to have received this award, throughout my career I have tried to be a good officer, doing what’s right, projecting my morals and treating people the way I would want to be treated. 

Everyone enjoys being recognized for job well done.   

The award ceremony was a humbling experience.  I was delighted to bring my wife and two younger children (8 and 10 years old) to the ceremony in Jefferson City so they could witness me receiving my award. 

We had the opportunity to meet US Veterans and hear amazing stories varying from triumphs to heartaches. 

As we sat in the front row with other award recipients,  we discovered that we were sitting next to some heroic gentlemen: a retired general that led troops into battles, a veteran who raised money for his friend who had just lost three limbs in a roadside bombing in Iraq; and the guest speaker who had served in Vietnam and was shot 4 times in the chest, but was saved by his buddy who then received a fatal gunshot wound. 

I can’t recall the last time I cried, but seeing these grown men cry as they shared their stories really got to me. We learned a great deal that weekend and thanking a Veteran now has a different meaning. 

Thank you American Legion for recognizing my service, and thank you for giving my family and I an experience that has changed us, one we will always remember.