HOT PURSUIT
When it comes to jobs, there are often many people you don’t care to work with or want anything to do with. But for me, Adam MacDonald was not one of those. He was one I could depend on having my back, especially in a crisis.
I worked with Adam as a police officer in Lakeville for many years. Sadly, Adam died two years ago after battling cancer for four years. He left behind a legacy of public service in the Lakeville community that’s difficult to find today.
Adam had a way of handling the toughest situations with relative ease. He never flew off the handle at anyone. He had one of the calmest demeanors I’ve ever seen in a police officer, which as we know isn’t always the case for some. Adam displayed compassion to people whom he encountered even in their darkest moments. I always welcomed having him as my partner.
That’s why it was especially exciting for me to see Adam’s youngest son, Connor, get hired by Owatonna Police in 2023. Connor is a community service officer with aspirations of becoming a full-time police officer just like his dad within the next year.
With his dad’s untimely death, Connor has struggled with his own life in recent years. He dropped out of high school but later picked up his GED. He is now attending technical school to get his police training. Not surprisingly with losing a loved one, he also faced some mental health challenges but has worked through them by maintaining a strong support system, including professional help.
Brighter days are ahead, and Connor hopes those brighter days will include being a police officer in Owatonna.
Connor didn’t only view Adam as a parent, but also as his lifelong hero. “I hope I can strive to be just like him some day,” he told me recently.
The current culture isn’t the best for young people wanting to get into the police profession. It’s remarkable to see someone like Connor willing to set aside the negativity facing police officers and want to be one.
“Police officers are easy targets for anger,” Connor says. “People don’t see police officers as human.”
Connor points to his dad as being human, even in a job where his life was often on the line. Connor said he hopes to emulate his dad’s ability to say the right things when danger lurks. “It just seemed he always had the right words to say,” he said, adding, “it’s something rare in people.”
Even though Connor said his dad encouraged him to not be a police officer, he’s willing to go in hot pursuit of risking his life to help others. He hopes it can be in Owatonna.