Blues and BBQ connected community, police, and fire in Rockton

Settler's Park was loaded with fun at the 2024 Rockton Police Association Blues and BBQ on Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 2024.

Blues and BBQ was the brainchild of Village President John Peterson when he served as a trustee. Peterson approached the police department, the Village, and the Rockton Lions Club to develop a memorable way to close out the  2016 Rockton River Market, and Music in the Park. Inspired by the idea, the non-profit Rockton Police Association formed a planning committee along with family and friends of those serving in the department. The event is now nine years old.

Lines formed of those eagerly waiting to take a ride in the bucket of a Rockton Fire Protection District ladder truck. The band “Mixtape” performed music from various genres in the gazebo. Visitors bid on silent auction items. One lucky winner took home $333 from the 50/50 raffle. Young ones took turns in bounce houses or chose to have their faces painted. Vendors were on hand offering different types of goods for purchase.

Food choices included Rockton Fire Association's loaded baked potatoes, pulled pork sandwiches, and chips from Fibs which were served in the Rockton Police tent. Al's Main Street Tap served pizza and offered various beverage choices. Dairyhaus ice cream provided the perfect dessert.

South Beloit resident Lora Conrad came out to enjoy the festivities. “The barbecue and baked potatoes were great and of course I ended my meal with Dairyhaus,” Conrad said.

Officer Matt Anderson of the Loves Police Department gave a K-9 demonstration along with K-9 Koal, a dual purpose Belgian Malinois patrol dog from Czechoslovakia. Koal is deployed more than 20 times a month.

Officer Anderson and Koal were joined by K-9 Blitz who is a dual purpose Dutch Shepherd mix from Belarus. His owner is Luke Limberg, a graduate of Hononegah Community High School.

Koal demonstrated a narcotics search while following a specific scent. Blitz performed a simulated apprehension of a narcotics violator.

Canines are trained in narcotics detection, tracking, building searches, area searches, evidence recovery, tracking officer safety, and tracking criminal apprehension.

Blues and BBQ events are just one way that the RPA gives back throughout a year. All proceeds from these events are used to support the Rockton community and the Jaimie Cox Memorial Scholarship.

At a  Blue 815  table, Andrea Cox, the chair of Blue 815 greeted everyone with a warm and friendly smile. Cox is the cousin of fallen officer Jaimie Cox. This organization is set up to build awareness, bridge citizens and law enforcement, and to honor the fallen. Motorcycle runs  in Jaimie Cox's name have been held each year and provide extra financial support for the organization

Visitors at the booth learned more about the organization and were able to take home special plastic cups. When liquid is added to the cup, it turns blue.

Officer Jaimie Cox graduated from Hononegah Community High School. Cox also served in the United States National Guard and was part of a National Army Guard contingent deployed from 2008-2009 to Nangarhar province in Afghanistan. He received honors including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom Ribbon. He died in the line of duty as a Rockford police officer on Nov. 5, 2017.

Rockton resident Nicole Walker and her family joined in the fun at this year Blues and BBQ event. “The band was great, the weather was perfect and I loved that we were supporting the Rockton police and fire department,” Walker said. “I enjoyed having this event on a Wednesday. In previous years it was held on a Saturday, and weekends are so busy, and Wednesday was perfect.”

Walker's daughter Olivia, a member of Stephen Mack Middle School's National Jr. Honor Society did her best to keep order in the bounce house.

Conrad agreed about the weather and the band and added, “Rides in the ladder bucket was a fun idea.”

Similar to National Night Out, the 2024 Blues and BBQ event helped connect the community with the Rockton Police Department  and the Rockton  Fire Protection District.