News

Lake officer dares to be great

Orlando Sentinel - July 2008

The 700 or so kids whose lives he touches every year affectionately call him "Officer Walt."

Lake County sheriff's Cpl. Walt Niehus is one of three officers who have been with D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) since its inception in Lake in 1990. The D.A.R.E. program is taught to fifth-graders.

"Those are my kids," Niehus said. "I've always had a special place in my heart for children. They're unique. They're special. I'm a kid at heart, too."

Niehus, who started as a deputy on road patrol in 1985, was honored for his work recently when he was named 2008 D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year at a conference of the state program held at Marco Island.

"I was in total shock," said Niehus, who last year worked at Fruitland Park, Eustis, Treadway, Seminole Springs and Pine Ridge elementary schools. "I was in awe about it. I was very touched by it. I was just humbled."

Sheriff's Sgt. Karen Lovelace, who is assigned to the Community Services Division, nominated Niehus.

When she looked up the requirements to receive the award, Lovelace said, "That's the epitome of Walt, so I investigated him on the sly."

Niehus, 47, joked, "You found out all my top-secret information. It's not so top secret anymore."

In her nominating letter, Lovelace wrote, "It's almost as if all the children that Walt has taught are his kids. It is especially nice to be somewhere with Walt when some children recognize him. You would think that you are with a movie star because of his popularity."

Niehus, a deputy for five years in Citrus County before coming to Lake, became involved with law enforcement when he was a member of the Explorers in Cook County, Ill. During the year he was president, the unit received the presidential award.

In his free time, Niehus tinkers with electronics. He works on wiring for police cars in Fruitland Park, his hometown. He likes to dabble a bit in his garden as well.

Lovelace said Niehus spends his own money to buy items related to the program for students as well as teachers. And he makes certificates, promotes D.A.R.E. and reads essays on his own time -- about 350 at the end of each semester.

The essays, which may be up to four pages, are required of students to graduate from D.A.R.E. In 2006-07, one of Niehus' students took first place in the county for his essay. This past school year, one of his students placed second.

"The things I talk about [in class] I see in their essays," he said. "Kids are amazing how they remember things."

And when the school year is over, Niehus gears up for the extended learning care at Lake's 17 elementary schools. He teaches a safety program. His big project is a coloring contest. There will be 21 winners at each school, and some of the children will get D.A.R.E. T-shirts.

Niehus -- whose wife of nearly three months, Theresa, has gotten involved with the program by putting together slide shows, assisting at functions and doing whatever else is needed -- said he wouldn't change his career for anything.

"When I wake up, I'm just so enthused that I get to work with students," he said. "I try to change a bad situation into a good one. You get these children on the right track. They'll remember what I said to them for a long, long time."

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