Publications & Sites 
Special Olympics close to Glenview Police officer’s heart
Article Extras
Updated: March 15, 2013 11:56AM
GLENVIEW — John Good, a 30-year officer with the Glenview Police Department, who served as the “leg leader” for the Special Olympics, champions regional (Law Enforcement Torch Run) police efforts to raise money to benefit a much loved cause. We caught up with Officer Good at a Special Olympics Gala and Dance Party at the Glenview Park Center Feb. 2, where he accepted a check on behalf of the Glenview Police Dept. from the Knights of Columbus Council #3731. Good has two children, Renee Marie (Henry), 29, and Kevin Matthew, 23. View Karie Angell Luc’s webisode interview with Officer Good at www.glenview.suntimes.com. Meet Officer Good, a man who likes to golf, skiing, the great outdoors and is an avid reader.
Q. What is your role for a successful Torch Run?
A. I’m a leg leader for Illinois Special Olympics, meaning that I am charge of the Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield and Gurnee Police Departments’ (efforts), and we’re all working together to promote Special Olympics Illinois a dear, dear program which we feel very close to and have been doing for a number of years.
Q. And the check presentation, what does that symbolize?
A. It (the $500 check) will go toward Special Olympics Illinois. And we’re very, very pleased. It’s one of our biggest donations of the year and our goal this year is to raise statewide, close to $3 million dollars. Last year, we raised $2.98 million dollars, second in the world. So our goal is to try and hit that $3 million dollar mark. This check will play a major, major role in getting closer to that goal. More importantly, it will go toward providing programs for athletes, their coaches, to provide training for them and help them as well. It’s a wonderful, wonderful cooperative program between Special Olympics and law enforcement.
Q. How did you get involved?
A. Roughly 15 years ago, (Glenview) Sgt. Theresa Urbanowski asked me to participate in the Torch Run with a simple program, which we call “Cop on Top.” It’s a lot of fun. And the minute I got involved, I fell in love with it. I mean, the warmth and the love that you get, not only from the athletes themselves, but from the coaches, and from the moms and dads, and the siblings who just…the changes that they’ll tell you, that they’ve just seen by their children being involved in Special Olympics, earth shattering.
Q. How can neighbors support Special Olympics?
A. If you’re interested, please contact me at the Glenview Police Dept., 847-729-5000, my extension is 5149. Please, when you call, don’t be nervous. Just take your time. And leave a brief message and I’ll get back to you.
Q. Officer Good, are you having a good life?
A. I’m having a wonderful life. I’m also a part-time college professor (Oakton Community College), so it’s a nice balance (a police operations class).
