Many individuals and organizations work together to make St. Charles a great community. 

One group that is often overlooked are St. Charles city employees. Every day they make a difference in ways both big and small. 

And sometimes, it only takes a small act to create a big impact.

Isie Brindley, a 62 year-old resident, locked herself out of her home recently on a cold evening. She had no coat or shoes on as she stepped out to quickly tend to some holiday decorations when the locked door closed behind her. 

Living alone, Ms. Brindley always kept all her windows and doors locked, so there was no way to get back in. Thankfully, she had her cell phone with her. She contacted the St.  Charles Police Department.

Patrol Officer Dawn Churney, a 20-year veteran of police work including 12 with the St. Charles Police Department, answered the call. After several attempts to regain entry, Officer Churney resorted to calling a locksmith. 

“I felt terrible because I couldn’t get in her house and she had to pay for a locksmith,” she said. The two sat in the patrol car for an hour waiting for the locksmith to come from Yorkville.

Once the locksmith arrived, Officer Churney stayed until the work was done and she was sure Ms. Brindley was safe in her home. 

The fact that she remained there even after the locksmith arrived, “really made an impression on me,” said Ms. Brindley.  She was so moved by Officer Churney’s thoughtful gesture, she wrote a letter of thanks to Police Chief James Lamkin. In it, she said:

“I would like to gratefully acknowledge Officer Churney’s professionalism, compassion and patience. In all, Officer Churney took 2.5 hours of her valuable time on a silly mishap that never should have occurred. Yet she approached this assignment with sincerity and respect, and for that I am very grateful…thank her for representing your department with efficiency and grace.”

Churney said she went into law enforcement to help people on many different levels. She received the Partners in Peace award in 2004 for her work educating the public and law enforcement about domestic violence issues. 

“I try to treat people the way I would want to be treated if in a similar situation,” she said.