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McMillin retires from Clintonville police

Sgt. Bob McMillin has retired from the Clintonville Police Department. He served the city as an officer for 22 years, retiring on Thursday, Sept. 6.

McMillin came to Clintonville in 1977 after growing up in Chicago. He earned an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps after a two-year tour.

He was hired by the Clintonville Public Works Department in 1977, where he served as a full-time employee under Jim Malueg, and later Mike McCord. He continued working for the Public Works Department while attending school to become a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician.

From 1983 through 1998, he worked for the Clintonville Area Ambulance Service as an EMT, EMT-D, and EMT-I in a part-time capacity while still employed full-time with the city.

As the son of a Chicago police detective, McMillin always had an interest in law enforcement. In 1989, he began pursuing a degree in police science at Fox Valley Technical College on a part-time basis. He applied for a position with the Clintonville Police Department and began his duties as a part-time patrol officer in 1990. He was promoted to a full-time police officer position on Sept. 23, 1991.

On Jan. 1, 1999, he was promoted to the position of Sergeant, a position he held until his retirement. During his time with the department, he served as shift supervisor for the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift.

McMillin attended training throughout his career to improve his service to the community. In addition to annual certification training, he attended training in drug enforcement, street crimes, emergency vehicle operations, intoxilyzer certification, taser certification, police supervision training, advanced dive rescue certification, and incident command training, to name a few.

On June 26, 2002, in the middle of the night, McMillin responded to a request from the Waupaca County Sheriff’s department for assistance in checking a vehicle submerged in the Embarrass River off State Highway 156 east of Clintonville. Upon arrival, he found a vehicle on its top, completely submerged in the river.

McMillin shed his duty belt and body armor and dove into the dark water to check for victims trapped in the vehicle. Finding an open window, he swam inside. Fortunately, the occupants had been able to climb out prior to his arrival and had been picked up and taken into town.

For his heroic efforts, McMillin received an Exceptional Service Award during the Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony in 2004.

“I never had to worry about the night shift when Sgt. McMillin was on duty,” said Police Chief Terry Lorge. “Bob has served his community honorably and professionally throughout his career and he will be deeply missed. We wish Bob and his wife Vicki a long and happy retirement.”

Captain Jim Beggs echoed Lorge’s sentiments.

“Bob is a very unique individual,” said Beggs. “Many people slept well at night because of his good decisions on the night shift. I’m losing a heck of a friend from the department. He always gave good advice and offered a different perspective. He added so much to the department. He is a very giving man.

“Last Thursday, when I came in to work in the morning and joined him as he walked out the door for the final time, it was very emotional,” Beggs said. “We were very lucky to have him on our department. We congratulate him on his long service to the city, and we hope he enjoys every second of his retirement.”

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