DARE OFFICER BIDS FAREWELL

NORWICH -- For more than a decade, Norwich Police Officer Kevin
Creamer said he's put his heart into a program he strongly believes is
making a difference.

It's the reason that after 13 years as a DARE officer, he has mixed
emotions about leaving the program.

Creamer Wednesday graduated 60 fifth-grade students from the DARE
program at Samuel Huntington Elementary School -- his last group
before moving on to become a resource officer at Teachers Memorial
Middle School.

"I love what I do. I believe in what I'm doing," Creamer said. "I hate
to leave, but at the same time I will continue to work with the kids,
getting them the follow-up attention."

His new position is a chance to continue follow-up work with older
students, working in conjunction with the social studies and health
departments at the school. Lesson plans are still being developed.

"He shows great leadership, dedication and integrity," said Karen
Buchert, a member of the Huntington Parent Teacher Organization "He's
really gotten through to my daughter. Everybody's just so sad to see
him go."

Buchert, whose daughter, Elizabeth, graduated from the DARE program
Wednesday, is the daughter of the late Sgt. William S. Buchert, a
former state trooper and head of the Eastern Division of the Statewide
Narcotics Task Force.

Buchert donated several cakes to Wednesday's celebration, one with
Creamer's likeness and another in her father's memory.

"Kevin has just upheld everything my father believed in," she
said.

"Officer Kevin," driving his flame-painted DARE Jeep, had a knack for
eliciting smiles and connecting individually with different students.

"He's awesome," said Jordan Evrett as he received a quick pep talk
from Creamer as he waited in line to enter the gymnasium for the
awards presentation. The fun was coupled with a message, as emphasized
by winners of the essay contest.

Rhyess Nash, 10, said, "These lessons are some of the most important
of our school careers."

"If I can be strong. I can help other kids be strong and do the right
things too," fifth-grader Alicia Fleming read from her essay.

Creamer's message was recognized nationally in 2003, when he was the
first DARE officer, and only Connecticut officer, awarded the National
Enrique Camarena Award for his contribution to the field of drug
prevention and helping children understand the dangers of drug abuse.

His new assignment, Creamer said, is something he's pushed for and is
"long overdue and needed."

Officer Chris Conley was named the school resource officer at Kelly
Middle School.

Norwich Police Officer Kevin Creamer,42, attended his last DARE
graduation Wednesday at Samuel Huntington Elementary School.

The 20-year veteran,a DARE officer since 1994, recently was named one
of two school resource officers. He will work at Teachers Memorial
School in the fall.