Phillip Norman Benne

Born April 6, 1954 in St. Louis, MO to Harold Charles (former law enforcement officer) and Florence Louise (Kilgore) Benne. He married Eileen Deborah Huntley in Cahokia, IL on June 8, 1974. She survives.

Also surviving are his parents of Waterloo; four children, Jennifer, Jessica, Jacqueline, and Jason Benne all of Peoria; six brothers and sisters, Zachary (law enforcement) (and Elinor) Benne of Peoria County, Linda Bommarito of Waterloo, Tina (and Kelly) Folts of Austin, TX, Leasa (and Robert) Ferry of Edwardsville, Shelly Stratman of Farmington, MO, Harold Benne Jr. of Waterloo; mother-in-law, Adeline Wilson of Columbia; two sister-in-laws, Jeanne (and Tim) Donald, Dawn Huntley; brother-in-law, Michael Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Phillip came from a law enforcement family. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Illinois University, and was a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He started out working as a Police Patrol Officer for the City of Peoria, later became a Field Training Officer, served in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, was a K-9 Officer with his (4-legged) partner Jock, Special Response Team member, and retired in 2008 as Lieutenant of the Technical Services Division after 30 years of service. In 1981 he received the Life Saving Award, 1986 the Distinguished Service Award, 1987 the American Legion Meritorious Service Award, and in 1990 the Policeman of the Year Award. He was a member of ASIS International Security Organization and recently was awarded certification as a CPP, and received numerous letters of appreciation from citizens of the Peoria area.

After retiring he was hired by Securitas as a Facilities Securities Manager for the Downtown Caterpillar Campus. He was later promoted to membership in Caterpillar Global Security as Senior Security Professional, and was then elevated by Securitas as the Director of US Operations for the Caterpillar account.

He was an Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 155 at Concordia Lutheran School. He was well known and very proud of his work ethic that he inherited from his father. He was a dedicated family man and always put his family first.

He was a member and chairman of the Congregation at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Peoria, and loved the Lord with all his heart.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Peoria with Rev. Barry A. Long officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria with further visitation from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at his church. Burial will follow services at Smithville Cemetery in Hanna City.

Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Concordia Lutheran School, Concerns of Police Survivors, or to the American Red Cross.