Bloomington's top cop, Police Chief Booker T. Hodges, recently received high praise for his dedication to community and youth, bagging the prestigious 2023 William H. Spurgeon Award. The accolade was presented during the annual Community Builder Celebration.
The selection, made by Northern Star Scouting alongside the Community Builder Celebration Committee, spotlights Chief Hodges for not just his achievements in law enforcement, but also his volunteer work that marks a blueprint for a better tomorrow. In a humble response to the acknowledgment, Hodges said, “I am humbled by this award,” in a statement obtained by the City of Bloomington's official website. “I always tell my officers never miss an opportunity to interact with youth. They are our future.”
William H. Spurgeon III, the namesake of the award, is heralded for starting the coeducational Career Exploring program in the '80s. Meant to inspire a commitment to the growth and well-being of the young, the Spurgeon Award has become synonymous with recognizing sustained, meaningful engagement within communities. Chief Hodges now joins a distinguished list of leaders who've shown a dedication to these very principles.
