Hoosier Lottery Beneficiary, Local Police & Firefighters’ Pensions

What happens when two brothers share a love of law enforcement? Together, they create successful, long-lasting careers protecting and inspiring their communities.

Kevin and Larry are brothers from South Bend, Indiana. Kevin says Larry is known as the comedian of the two. They started working together in 1994, Kevin with the Indiana State Police and Larry with the St. Joseph County Police Department. Kevin is retired now after 38 years, and Larry will retire May 31, 2024 after 34 years.

When asked how they both got started in law enforcement, Kevin said he knew he was interested when he saw his first police car as a small child. And though he started college in pre-dentistry, he managed to find his way back to his true love, police work. He spent three years in the Army as a military policeman and joined the police academy right after.

As for Larry, he was inspired by Kevin. “I didn’t realize it was something I wanted to do until our mom and I were helping Kevin plan for camp,” he said. “Kevin ran the Respect for Law Camp at the University of Notre Dame, and after seeing all the good he did with those kids it just hit me. I knew this was what I wanted to do. And it was all because of Kevin and what he did with that camp.”

Kevin started the Respect for Law Camp at the University of Notre Dame after going to a similar camp in Huntington. “We gave the kids a really wide look at what law enforcement is all about,” he said. “We brought in canines and police helicopters, and the SWAT team even did some demonstrations.”

Kevin’s camp was a huge success. Their first year, they had the highest enrollment compared to other first-year camps. “The record was 89 kids and we had 188,” he said. “The next year we had 289, so it really just became part of our DNA there.”

The two brothers also share a passion for being on the road.

“When I retired, I was a Master Trooper. I worked all 38 years on the road,” Kevin said. “I loved being there, I loved being in the community. I couldn't see myself behind a desk. I just needed to be out there.”

Larry agreed. “I’ve spent my career on road patrol. I want to get out there and talk to people, talk to the kids. That’s how you get information,” he said. “I don’t sit behind a desk. I tried it once and I didn’t like it,” he laughed.

Larry also talked about how special it was to be able to run things by Kevin to make sure he was making the right decisions on and off the job.

Kevin relayed Larry’s encyclopedic memory when it came to cases and people. “He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever worked with, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother,” Kevin said. “If I needed to know something about an area he was patrolling, he’d know every single detail I could ever possibly need. He’s incredible.”

Both brothers found constructive ways to manage the stress the job often brings. “I love to bowl,” Larry said. “Just hit the pins and take out your frustrations there.”

Kevin, also a bowler and golfer, recalled another way the brothers relieved stress in their younger days. “We played a lot of softball with other cops and firefighters,” he said. “That was so fun. It was a great release.”

Now, in retirement, Kevin is the Director of Safety and Student Services at Union North United School Corporation, which includes LaVille Junior-Senior High School and LaVille Elementary in South Bend.

He also coaches the high school bowling team and is the president of his local bowling association. When he’s not bowling or coaching bowling, he’s watching his favorite show, M*A*S*H. Both brothers spoke fondly of another favorite show, The First 48 Hours. “Those shows kind of keep us sane,” Kevin said. “Law enforcement is always going to be part of our DNA and these shows help us stay in touch with that world.”

Both brothers enjoy spending time with their wives, children and grandchildren. Kevin’s wife Judy is also a trooper. The two met at work and went on their first date on April Fools’ Day.

“My wife plans these amazing vacations for us,” he said. “Last year we went to the bottom half of Yellowstone and are going back this year to see the upper half.” They also enjoy watching John Wayne movies, going to dinner and taking road trips and stopping at “the pretzel place.”

“We just like to make memories,” he said. “It’s those little things that make great memories.”

Larry looks forward to retirement and has big plans to travel with his wife Cherie. “We’re gonna pick up the grandkids and travel all over with them,” he said. “Because you don’t know how long you have on God’s green Earth, and I want to make memories with them. I want to make sure they always remember me.”

“Don’t worry,” Kevin laughed. “Nobody can ever forget you.”

The Hoosier Lottery would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Kevin and Larry and all the other police department personnel who make a huge difference in the lives of so many in Indiana, each and every day.