Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 18, 2011, Page 6

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

  Backus receives Respect for Law Award

 Neillsville Optimist Club Respect for Law Program Committee Chairman James Mills (right) presents

Clark County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jim Backus with the Neillsville Optimist Club’s 2011

Respect for Law Award.  (Contributed photo)

Neillsville Optimist Club Respect for law Program Committee chairman James Mills and Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick recently presented Clark County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jim Backus with the Neillsville Optimist Club’s 2011 Respect for Law Award.

Optimist international Respect for Law programs are held annually during May.  Respect for Law is one of the organization’s most popular programs with over 1,500 clubs participating.

Neillsville Optimist Club members know the importance of children growing up with a strong belief in abiding by the law, respecting law enforcement and doing what they can to maintain peace.

The Neillsville Optimist Club held its Respect for Law Program Wednesday, May 11.  Backus provided members and guests a presentation about his acceptance and participation in the prestigious FBI Law Enforcement Training Program at the FBI facility located in Quantico, VA.

Backus was one of only four Wisconsin law enforcement officers to be selected in the calendar year to participate in that program.  Herrick provided insight into Backus’ law enforcement background and high standards of service to the community, and assisted presenting the Respect for Law Award to Backus at the program.

Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with 100,000 adult and youth members in 3,400 clubs worldwide.  Optimist programs reach over 6,000,000 young people annually.

Each year, the Neillsville Optimist Club holds programs benefiting area youth.  These programs include Youth Appreciation Awards, an Old Fashion Christmas party for Kids, Halloween activities, Tri-Star Basketball Competition, Easter Egg Hunt, the Neillsville School District’s Big Buddy program, a junior Golf Tournament and many other activities.