L.E.A.D. Meant to Bring Positivity

Monee police officer Stephen Crescenti got support from his daughter Gabriella, 5, at the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Photo by Karen Haave.

Monee police officer Stephen Crescenti got support from his daughter Gabriella, 5, at the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Photo by Karen Haave.

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By Karen Haave
For John Henson and his wife, Tracey, L.E.A.D. in Monee is all about bringing “positivity.”
Their third annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Monee this month did exactly that.
Dozens of police vehicles and supporters from surrounding communities helped get the event underway with the Blue Line Parade that led to the Monee Reservoir for free food, raffles, and camaraderie.
All proceeds benefit the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Monee Police Officer Stephen Crescenti was there again to demonstrate his physical fitness, this time 245 “dips”, one for every officer lost in 2022.
As successful as this year’s event was, Henson already is planning for an even better one in 2024, in keeping with Monee’s Sesquicentennial celebration.
“Next year, I’m going to make it even bigger,” he said.
“I’m going to get a band–I already have one in mind, Midlife Crisis.
“And I’m going to talk to some dog trainers to see if we can have some demonstrations.
“We also want to have more food, involving some of the restaurants in the village,” he continued, serving up something of a “Taste of Monee.”
Henson, who hosts L.E.A.D. with his wife, Tracey, and Will County Board Member Julie Berkowicz (R-Naperville), said another idea is to offer prizes for the best-decorated vehicles in the parade.
“I think we will give each police officer attending L.E.A.D. a ballot and let them vote for their favorite vehicle in the parade,” he said.
Henson said he sponsored the inaugural L.E.A.D. three years ago after adverse publicity surrounded police departments across the country.
“I wanted to show some positivity,” he explained.
“I wanted to show some support for the police, and to find a way for people to get to know our police officers.
“I really like it when the kids come out to meet the police and talk to them, not scared.
“And when I see the smiles on our police officers’ faces, that’s my goal.”
Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner said his department is very grateful for the effort made on their behalf.
“I think it’s really nice what they do for us,” he added.
Henson, meanwhile, said there are many people who helped put L.E.A.D. 2023 together.
“Tracey and I would like to thank everyone for all of their donations,” he said. 
“Without you L.E.A.D. in Monee would not be possible. You all are greatly appreciated.” 
Donors include Animal Wellness Center of Monee, Sheepdog Firearms, Gina’s Motorsports, Crozehead Cooperage and Distilling Co., Straight Home Bar and Grill, Slingshot 312 of Chicago, Schoop’s of Monee, Therese M. Bogs DDS, Monee Liquor Depot, Terrell Eat the Bone BBQ, LLC, Brian’s Place, Napa Auto Parts of Monee, Distinguished Designs and Print, Frankie’s Taste of Italy Pizza, Sicilian Joe’s Pizzeria, The Finishing Touch Florist in Crete, Protecting K9 Heroes of Cedar Lake IN, RWK I.T. Services Frankfort, Dunkin’ Monee, Taco Bell Monee, Panda Express Matteson, Closet Collectibles Crete, Smokey Jo’s Crete, KDS Numismatics Monee, Emergency Management Agency of Monee, Will County Board Chair Judy Ogalla, Scott Johnson and Michelle Powell-Johnson, Village Trustees Scott Youdris, Michael Wilson and Chuck Rakis and his wife, Kristen.
“Special thanks also to the following people who volunteered their time for the day to help set up/clean up, run errands, sell tickets and all around make things run smoothly,” Henson noted, including Jude Knabe, Dianna Kroll, Alison Kiedaisch, Emily Volum and Kathryn Gomez.
Last but certainly not least, we have gotten so much publicity over the years that draws much attention to our event showing support for our officers in the community. Thanks to Karen Haave, the Vedette newspapers and editor Andrea Arens, and The Farmers Weekly Review and editor Nick Reiher.
“People constantly tell Tracey and myself,  in the two days leading up to the event ‘Wow, don’t you get any sleep?’ We just feel that losing a little sleep is well worth it, just think about all the sleep we get the rest of the year with all great law enforcement watching over our communities.”

Law Enforcement in Monee enjoyed a day of appreciation thanks to volunteers. Photo by Karen Haave.

Tracey Henson shared some sweet desserts with Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner and his grandson, Aidan Krapf, at L.E.A.D. 2023. Henson baked and decorated more than 200 cupcakes for the event. Photo by Karen Haave.


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