STORY FROM NW INDIANA TIMES, OCTOBER 1, 1997
Hobart mourns Chief Paulson
DEBORAH LAVERTY
Oct 1, 1997
DEBORAH LAVERTY
Oct 1, 1997
HOBART - It was nearly impossible for Mayor Linda Buzinec and other city
employees to go about their business as usual Tuesday. On Monday night,
at St. Mary Medical Center, the city had lost a longtime public servant and friend.
at St. Mary Medical Center, the city had lost a longtime public servant and friend.
Former Police Chief William Paulson, 52, died at 8 p.m., apparently from
complications from an Aug. 28 stroke, said Sandra Paulson, his wife of 28 years.
Buzinec, who Tuesday morning wiped away the tears in her office and later in
the afternoon at a Board of Public Works meeting, said it was hard to accept
Paulson's death. "He was a special person," she said. "It was very hard to take the
news of his passing away. He was a good man and well respected. I've known him
for years and years."
complications from an Aug. 28 stroke, said Sandra Paulson, his wife of 28 years.
Buzinec, who Tuesday morning wiped away the tears in her office and later in
the afternoon at a Board of Public Works meeting, said it was hard to accept
Paulson's death. "He was a special person," she said. "It was very hard to take the
news of his passing away. He was a good man and well respected. I've known him
for years and years."
Buzinec on Tuesday ordered all city flags flown at half-staff.
At the Police Department where Paulson had served for 26 years, black
bunting and a black wreath were placed at the interior entrance in his honor.
Police Chief Ronald Taylor, who replaced Paulson after his retirement June
30, said black bunting was also going to be placed outside the station sometime
late Tuesday.
"It's a sad day for the city of Hobart and an extremely sad day for the
Police Department," Taylor said. "He was an honorable individual with a lot of
compassion for his fellow workers and for the citizens of Hobart."
He said six police officers will serve as honor guards at Paulson's funeral
at 10 a.m. Thursday at Burns Funeral Home.
The Lake County Sheriff's Department has agreed to cover all emergency calls
for Hobart police that morning so they will be able to attend Paulson's funeral
services, he said. "He loved the department," Buzinec said. "It was a hard decision for
him to retire."
Before retiring, Paulson had been on sick leave since Jan. 18, when he
suffered a mini-stroke at Buzinec's inaugural ball. He then spent more than a month
at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. While in Chicago, Paulson
underwent several medical procedures including angioplasty.
A lifelong resident of Hobart, Paulson was a career police officer who
worked his way up the ranks starting as a patrolman in 1971 and ending as
police chief. He began serving as police chief Jan. 1, 1996, after being named
to that position by Buzinec.
Buzinec said she is glad Paulson felt well enough to attend and enjoy his
retirement party held in early August. "I was glad we were able to have a
retirement party for him because he realized how many friends and people
appreciated him," Buzinec said.
Sandra Paulson said her husband, although not completely happy about his
retirement, was getting used to the idea. "He talked about just first taking it
easy and relaxing," she said. She said her husband, who had worked hard
all his life at a number of jobs including his dad's service station in Hobart,
had a hobby that helped him get away from it all. "He was an avid bass
fisherman," she said. She said every spring and fall he would take a trip
with a group of friends to Mountain Home, Ark.
Paulson is survived by his wife; a son, William A. Paulson, 22, of Richton
Park, Ill.; and one brother, Robert Paulson, a member of the Hobart Police
Department and the Hobart City Council.
Park, Ill.; and one brother, Robert Paulson, a member of the Hobart Police
Department and the Hobart City Council.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Burns Funeral Home.