Akil Is Responder Of The Month

Akil Love began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer for Grant County Sheriff's Department. Four and a half years later, he hit the streets as a patrol officer for the Ulysses Police Department.

He was nominated for Responder of the Week in March of this year and now, he is Responder of the Month.

"Akil is one of the most positive employees we have in the department," said Chief Ron Vagher. "He always comes to work with a smile. He is also well versed in police work and is displaying leadership qualities, especially within our department. As he furthers his career, we will be looking at putting him in those type of roles."

A native of Wichita, Kan., Love is a big city boy patrolling the quiet streets of rural Ulysses, and, he  says  he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The best part of being a cop here is the community,” Love said in an interview with The Ulysses News. “I love interacting with the community, love seeing people smile. When they see a cop it’s good to see them smile, I just love putting smiles on people’s faces and helping people in need.”

While Ulysses is a small town, being a police officer is not all fun and games. Seeing some of the bad is what Love considers the worst part of his job.

“Some of the stuff you have to see, whether it be a deceased individual or seeing people in their worst moment of their life at that particular time,” he said. “Obviously that’s the worst, because you think that could have easily been my family or even me in that position, so you feel for those people and that’s the worst.”

It's his compassion for others at their worst that makes Love stand out. And that compassion has been put to the test.

One day, Love had to perform CPR on an individual who passed away a few days later.

“His granddaughter was right there, and I did the best I could to try to keep him alive,” Love said.

The family requested him for the funeral escort a few days later.

“Having the family request me to do the escort for his funeral service, and while I was there they were thanking me for being there and getting there and doing the best I could," Love said. “To me I was like, they recognize I tried to do the best I can. It helped me understand that people understand you’re doing the best you can and sometimes it just doesn’t work.”

Love attended Washburn University, where he met his future wife, a native of Ulysses. Love has a young son and daughter and is involved with the community by  being visible at community events.

One of the events he takes part in is Safety Fest.

“I used to be the one who ordered the toys for the kids," he said. "Trunk or Treat, also on Main Street; and I do security for the football games. I try to get out there in public and show my face as much as I can and talk to everybody.”

Love says he loves Ulysses.

“I love the atmosphere, I love the community vibes here,” he said. “I love the community, the people. I’ve met some really good people here."

Congratulations to Officer Akil Love - Ulysses News Responder of the Month.

Send your medical or law enforcement nominations for Responder of the Week to news2@ulyssesnews.com or call (620) 356-1201.