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Duluth honors police officer, firefighter of the year

BYDuluth News Tribune   
March 27, 2008

The men honored Wednesday as Duluth's police officer and firefighter of the year both credit their fathers with setting examples they followed. "He always said if you're going to commit to doing something, be the best," Police Officer Rob Hakala said, referring to his late father. "We're working at it, Dad."

Fire Department Capt. Chad Cooke asked his father, Doug Cooke, to come to the podium during the award ceremony at the Radisson. Doug Cooke was a Duluth firefighter for 30 years, retiring as a fire equipment operator in 1998.

"He set the example of a firefighter," the son said of the father. "He was tough and knew his job. I just want to thank you."

The two men were honored at the noon meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth. The club has honored Duluth's firefighter and police officer of the year for several years.

Chad Cooke's award was well-deserved, Doug Cooke said.

"He works hard at what he does," he said. "He doesn't have to work that hard."

In introducing Chad Cooke, Fire Chief John Strongitharm said Cooke has proven himself to be a hard-working, professional and caring firefighter.

"While he may have been selected on those merits alone, he stands out because of his involvement in the community," Strongitharm said, noting Cooke's work as the department's Muscular Dystrophy Association coordinator.

"For decades the fire services has had a close relationship with MDA," Strongitharm said. "This work does not get done without having a leader with the passion and commitment to help children."

Cooke helped organized last year's MDA golf event, which raised more than $14,000 for the charity.

"It's been a fun adventure with the MDA," Cooke said before Wednesday's event.

Cooke, 36, has been on the department for nine years and a captain for two. He grew up in Duluth, and graduated from East in 1990. He and his wife, Sheri, have two sons.

Deputy Police Chief John Beyer introduced Hakala.

"Rob has an outstanding work ethic and has established himself as both a formal and informal leader in the department," Beyer said.

Beyer noted that Hakala trains new officers and is one of the department's uniformed crime scene investigators. Beyer mentioned two cases for which Hakala has received commendations. In the first, he and other officers responded to a sexual assault. Their work led to the arrest and conviction of a suspect who is now serving 16 years in prison. In the second case, Hakal's persistent police work after a shooting reported as an armed robbery led to the recovery of the weapon and the admission of the victim that he had shot himself.

Hakala claims little credit for the officer of the year award.

"I attribute my success to the hard-working officers around me," the 37-year-old patrol officer said. "I've had a terrific crew the last four years. It's very easy to excel when working with such hard-charging individuals."

Hakal's wife, Tanya, agrees that he works with a good crew.

"I trust them with his life," she said.

Hakala spent the early years of his life in Arizona before his family moved to Duluth. A 1988 Denfeld grad, he spent four years as a firefighter aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz. He served in law enforcement in Douglas County and Hoyt Lakes before joining the Duluth force. He typically patrols the city's western neighborhoods. The couple has three sons.

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March 31, 2008

Fire Fighter and Police Officer Recognized

The Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth recognized the areas finest at a luncheon this afternoon.  Police Chief Gordon Ramsy along with Deputy Police Chief, John Beyer presented the Officer of the Year Award to Robert Hakala and Fire Chief John Strongitharm presented the Fire Fighter of the Year to Chad Cooke.  Both men were chosen by their peers to receive this honor. 

 Both men were surrounded by proud family, peers, and Kiwanians at the noon meeting.  The Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth has been recognizing the community’s best since 2001.

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Officer of the Year Award to Robert Hakala

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Our own John Beyer presents Robert Hakala his award

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Fighter fighter of the Year - Chad Cooke

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Fire Department Capt. Chad Cooke asked his father, Doug Cooke, to come to the podium during the award ceremony at the Radisson. Doug Cooke was a Duluth firefighter for 30 years, retiring as a fire equipment operator in 1998.

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A proud moment

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Mr. Cooke's little girl, was busy coloring during the ceremony - cute!!

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Don Lilyqiuist congratulates Fighter fighter of the Year - Chad Cooke

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Chief John Strongitharm with Deputy Police Chief, John Beyer

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Chief John Strongitharm congratulating Chad Cooke

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Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth is honored to give these awards to the
police officer who has the courage and dedication to the duty to
protect the public; and that one fireman who is committed to making our
community the safest place possible to live and work. Here Chad is with his son.

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John Beyer and Robert Hakala

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Tanya and Chad Hakala

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Chad Cooke family - Mrs. Cooke is as proud as she can be!

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Congratulations Chad and Robert!

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Copyright © 2008 Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth. All Rights Reserved.