You don’t have to save a life or pull someone out of a burning house or car to be recognized.

Sometimes it’s about the importance of consistency and reliability. And that in itself can lead to saving many lives.

Officer Andy Stack, a 28-year veteran of the Schererville Police Department, was named the town’s Officer of the Year recently along with two others.

Stack was lauded for always being a high performer doing his day-to-day duties and instrumental on following up on his reports and enforcing traffic laws. Stack is also knowledgeable in criminal law and helps fellow officers understand when there is a change in that law.

“It is important our guys know the law because that is what we do every day,” Stack said. “We drive around and answer calls for service. Being a good defensive driver is important and knowing the law is important - we have to force or interpret it every single day, whether we make an arrest or go to a scene.

“You have to know the law because if you don’t you can get the department sued or have your case dismissed in court.”

Schererville Police Chief Dennis Zagrocki said just what Stack generated in 2018 was phenomenal.

“He is very active,” Zagrocki said. “He is respected and a role model to our young officers.”

Stack in 2018 generated 173 citations, 324 warnings, 10 traffic arrests, eight warrant arrests and six theft arrests as well as assisting in numerous other investigations and arrests. He has also been known to take off duty phone calls from other officers who may need assistance with legal questions.

Stack, whose father was a police officer in Gary, said in high school his original plan was to pursue a career in pharmacy. But he would end up earning a criminal justice degree at Indiana University Northwest and joining the Schererville force at age 23.

Also honored with Stack for Officer of the Year were Dave Nangle and Pete Sormaz.

Sormaz joined the Schererville force about four years ago after serving 15 years with the Gary Police Department. He was instrumental in capturing three suspects in a bank fraud case in the town on the same day they had earlier committed multiple frauds at banks in Merrillville, St. John, Crown Point and Cedar Lake.

“He is very knowledgeable and a lot of younger officers see his aggressiveness on the street and really respect him,” Zagrocki said.

Nangle, who filed more than 100 felony and misdemeanor charges in 2018, is a detective and one of the best, Zagrocki said.

Rob Earnshaw is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.