When Randy Fane Jr. joined the McCook Police Department as a dispatcher, he had goals in mind.
First, he wanted to become a police officer, which he did a few years later.
Second, he wanted to be a sergeant. Now that goal has been realized.
On Jan 21, at the McCook Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved his promotion to the rank of sergeant.
His first day on duty leading the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift was Jan. 22.
“Thank you, everyone. A big honor,” Fane told the board.
After the meeting, Fane, 36, called the promotion “a huge achievement and goal for me.” He’s been on the police department “a little over 11 years.”
“I started off as a part-time dispatcher, moving my way up being a full-time dispatcher and then to being a police officer, a detective, a field training officer and now a sergeant,” he said.
“For me, it’s personal. I built myself up,” he said.
He sought a career in law enforcement “because I had the drive for public service, helping other people out.”
Asked about memorable cases from his career, Fane mentioned the February 2024 murder on Joliet Avenue near Joliet Road, a case which has yet to go to trial, and a kidnapping from Texas that ended at a motel in McCook.
“I’d say, over my career, I’ve had some very interesting calls,” he said.
Tiny McCook explodes in population during the work day with a large industrial park west of First Avenue that brings in thousands of people.
“A lot can happen at any given time,” he said. “We focus on a bit of everything. During the business hours, we’re floating all over. A lot of employees coming and going. A lot of truck traffic.”
Deputy Police Chief Dave DeLeshe said Fane deserves the promotion, calling him “a great guy.”
Fane, of Joliet, and his wife have two daughters, ages 7 and 1, and one son, age 4.