DOWAGIAC — Pokagon Tribal Police Chief William Lux was soaring high Wednesday evening as he was handed an award recognizing his contributions to the community. While the size of the eagle-shaped award was no larger than Lux’s forearm, those who gave it to him said its implications were huge.

During a ceremony hosted at the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Justice Center, Lux received the Soaring Eagle Award from the Boy Scout of America. The Pokagon Tribal Police Department also received the Good Turn Award for supporting the development of value-based youth leadership training in area communities.

“[The Soaring Eagle Award] is significant because it is one of the highest honors we can give in Berrien County,” said John Cary, scout executive/chief executive officer of BSA’s LaSalle Council. “It is based on values found in scouting and the character of an individual.”

The Soaring Eagle Award recognizes a person whose leadership in business, industry, government, education, social work or other endeavors has contributed significantly to the growth and vitality of Berrien County, Cary said Lux was chosen for the award due to his commitment to the community and his leadership.

Chief Lux has served the residents of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties as a police officer for 42 years since starting his career in Lawrence, Michigan. He has had many roles serving the community, including chairman of the Van Buren County Chiefs of Police Association; law enforcement annex head of the Van Buren County Emergency Operations Center; dive team captain/liaison/coordinator for the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office; chaplain, Fraternal Order of Police, Van Buren County Lodge #136; varsity softball coach, Lawrence High School; Lawrence High School board member; and Division Head of the Year, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’ve always had a passion [for law enforcement],” Lux said. “It’s been a great career.”

During Wednesday evening’s ceremony, several community members, law enforcement personnel, and state and local government representatives spoke about Lux’s character and why he deserves the Soaring Eagle Award. Among the evening’s speakers were Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, Pokagon Tribal Chairman Matthew Wesaw, and a representative for State Rep. Brad Pauquette, State Sen. Kim LaSata and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“Chief Lux has been a valuable leader and instrumental in the long-term success of our Tribal Police Department, which was established in 2003,” Wesaw said. “Not only has he continued to raise our professional standards, but he has also fostered great working relationships at local, state and federal levels. We are very pleased that he is being recognized for his contributions, along with the rest of the Pokagon Police Department.”

Following Wednesday’s ceremony, Lux said he was overwhelmed by the award and the support shown to him that night.

“I was a little taken aback because I don’t see myself that way,” he said of the praise he received. “I have been fortunate to work with many great people throughout my career, and I think my career is more about all the people I work with.”

Though he said he was deeply honored to receive the Soaring Eagle Award, Lux said the recognition belonged to the community he has served throughout this four-decade career and the people and the organizations that support it. 

“I credit a lot of people for this. I give credit more to the officers of our department than I do myself,” he said. “I also want to recognize that the reason this is happening is the Boy Scouts of America. I really have to give that organization a lot of credit — not because they are recognizing me but because they do work that deserves to be recognized.”