The late officer Casey Kohlmeier loved his job with the Pontiac Police Department so much he had his initial letter of acceptance into the department matted and framed. Tuesday, Keri Horrie-Schmidt, Kohlmeier’s mother, found out her son has been recognized by his peers in the department he held so dear. He was named the 2013 officer of the year. Schmidt said the news would be a fitting birthday present for Kohlmeier’s sister Ryli Schmidt, who also turned 10 Tuesday.

“His drive to be the best was not reliant on awards,” Schmidt said. “It was about helping people, being there for people and knowing people can count on him. That’s what he lived for; it was a public service. That being said, the officer of the year award was a big deal to him. I think knowing he had received it would make him — if it were at all possible — love his job even more.”

Pontiac Police’s Major Dan Davis said the department chooses one officer per year. The recipient is not chosen by administration, but rather by the officers within the department. Davis simply asks for a name and a reason why the person should be chosen. The rest is up to the officers.

“I had multiple letters, all unanimously in favor of Officer Kohlmeier,” Davis recalls. “It’s not meant to be a tribute, it’s based on his work ethic and the things that he accomplished every day. His personality has been covered in the past stories and it is a very accurate reflection, but his work ethic was exceptional. It is an honor that we can choose the award for him.”

It’s no secret to Davis or Schmidt that Kohlmeier always had the award in his sights. His mother said even on his days off, Kohlmeier was always going in to the department and taking on extra work. He had no problem working overtime and loved his job.

“It was nothing for him to do work on his days off,” Schmidt said. “He was always going above and beyond. Even without pay — I mean non-stop. Everything had to be perfect and that meant doing all the training. But then he would go out and speak at the nursing home as a volunteer. He was always promoting his K-9 partner and the Pontiac Police Department.”

Kohlmeier and Draco complimented each other. Schmidt says Draco was a perfect companion for Kohlmeier because the K-9 added to his values. She explained Draco lived for the job. When Kohlmeier would say a familiar, “let’s go to work” phrase, his K-9 partner was right there waiting at the door.

“Even with family, he’d have to bring Draco with him,” she said. “That dog was his life and Casey’s world revolved around Draco. The K-9 added to his skills and they just complimented each other so perfectly.”

Schmidt says she’ll never get tired of being Kohlmeier’s spokesperson. She still wears his dog tags around her neck. Next to the tag, she also has a blue Saint Christopher pendant. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and she picked out the piece during the family’s recent vacation to Hawaii.

“I knew there was a lot to come in his future with the F.B.I., but I’ve always been bragging about him and now he has another award for proof,” Schmidt said. “He went above and beyond. I knew that for a fact. Sure, he was human. It wasn’t always a perfect day, but he strived to be the best at what he did since he was little. That’s just the way he was. There was not a challenge that he couldn’t conquer and that’s the way I raised him.”



