Stephen L. Magnuson

Have you ever tried helping people and making a difference at the same time? And by making a difference, I mean teaching students to not bully people and never join gangs or hate groups. If you answered ‘no’,then you’re not a community hero like Officer Magnuson. If you answer ‘yes’, then you’re a community hero like he is.

Stephen Lynn Magnuson was born Thanksgiving day, in Plymouth, Indiana. His parents, Ivan and Shirley, are both still living. He has one older brother, Terry. He is a husband and father to four children. He attend Indiana State University in 1976. He graduated in 1980, he received a B.A in Criminology. Officer Magnuson was hired by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department on February 20, 1982. He has worked a little over 28 years for the Sheriff's Department. Officer Magnuson is a leader in a program called the G.R.E.A.T. program (Gang Resistance Education and Training).

I picked Officer Magnuson because he is a great inspiration to me and lot of other people who know him. I also picked him because he is a friendly guy and he is really funny. Another reason I chose him as my hero is because he is someone that you can trust and someone that you can depend on. Officer Magnuson does not consider himself a hero, but he does consider himself to be a person who cares about the youth. He is involved in Little League as a coach and as a board member.

Officer Magnuson is a community hero because he’s a police officer and I respect him. He protects people in our community. He is a hero because he teaches kids not to bully each other and not to allow any other kids to bully either. When I asked Officer Magnuson who or what inspires you to be a hero he answered, "My relationship with Jesus Christ. If it wasn't for Him I probably would be a person who only cared about myself." I admire Joni Eareckson Tada who has a ministry called Joni and Friends, that helps others with disabilities. "I have a daughter with special needs, I have a caring heart for those that have special needs."

I am glad that Officer Magnuson came to my school and presented the G.R.E.A.T. program, otherwise I would have never met my hero. I consider it an honor to know such a fine policeman and community hero.