Posted: Oct. 20, 2009

Tosa Fest, Tosa's Night Out, Hart Fest - Matt Bohmann is at them all.

Although he has fun, plenty of fun, he is never there to play. The Wauwatosa Police Department reserve officer can usually be found directing traffic or working security.

In total, the volunteer gives more than 600 hours of his time each year, working crowd control at community events, organizing block watches and stuffing envelopes at the Police Department.

"I love being with people," he said. "I love helping people out."

Bohmann volunteers on weekends and even while on vacation from his job as a warehouse manager at New Berlin's Tekra Corp.

The West Allis resident said his reward is camaraderie with the close-knit group of reserve officers.

"I expect nothing in return for what I do. … I've gained so many friends - and what I consider family members - through this organization."

The excitement of the work helps, too.

"I'm 42 years old, but it's a thrill," Bohmann said of riding in a squad car with the lights and sirens on.

For all his work, Bohmann last month was given the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association.

Officer Paul Leist, who coordinates the reserve program, said he nominated Bohmann for his consistently large commitment of time. The group of 38 reserve officers together volunteered more than 5,500 hours last year, an average of 145 hours per person.

"My thing was, here's a guy that gives 500 hours a year and thinks nothing of it," Leist said.

Bohmann said his wife of 17 years supports his volunteerism, though his friends raise their eyebrows.

"Sometimes they think I'm nuts," he said. "It's hard to explain why I do what I do."

He does it because his parents taught him the value of hard work and of giving back, he said.

FYI

The Wauwatosa Police Department is always seeking candidates for the reserve officer program. Community members who are hard-working, committed, have strong moral values and are willing to volunteer 75 or more hours per year can contact the department's community support division at (414) 471-8430.