After 32.5 years with the Justice Police Department, Deputy Chief Fred Schuerg is stepping down at the end of June, making way for a new chapter—and for the next generation of police leadership.
The Village Board honored Schuerg at Monday’s meeting with speeches, applause, and a gift of 300 Andes Candies, his favorite. The recognition underscored the respect he built across three decades in a department he helped modernize.
“I’ve been with the department for 32.5 years,” Schuerg said. “It’s just time to retire. My son has his police job, my wife Barbara just retired today from her job as a dental hygienist, and it’s just time to move on and get a new chapter of my life and let the younger people take over.”
Schuerg began his law enforcement career on December 30, 1993, and rose through the ranks: corporal in 1997, sergeant in 2004, and deputy chief in 2023. Police Chief Michael McNamara credited him with an instrumental role in bringing body-worn cameras to the department years before they became a state mandate—a forward-thinking move that helped modernize the force and better equip officers to serve the public.
McNamara also spoke from personal experience. In 2003, when McNamara was new to the force, Schuerg was his field training officer. Though an off-duty softball injury cut that mentorship short after two shifts, McNamara said the impression lasted.
“Even then it was clear he cared deeply about doing the job right and helping others succeed,” McNamara said.
Years later, they worked the same shift as sergeant and corporal. McNamara called those years “filled with memorable calls, challenges, laughter, and most of our friendship.”
“I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” McNamara said. “More importantly, I am grateful for the friendship we have shared over the past two decades.”
Village Trustee Melanie Kuban, who has served on the board for 15 years, offered her own assessment.
“In those 15 years, all I can say is Fred Schuerg has proven to be the best deputy chief that this department has had,” Kuban said. She presented him with a gift from village hall staff—the 300 Andes Candies—and asked for a round of applause for his wife Barbara, whose retirement from her dental hygiene career became effective the same day.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz thanked Schuerg for his service. “You’re an excellent Deputy Chief and we thank you very much,” the mayor said.
When given the chance to speak, Schuerg kept it simple: “I want to thank the board for putting their trust in me. I’ll never forget working side by side with everyone in this audience. To everyone who showed up tonight, I love you all. I appreciate you guys being here. I’m a phone call away anytime you need me.”
The board then approved Police Chief McNamara’s recommendation to promote Sergeant Michael C. Bedalow to Deputy Chief, effective July 1.