Top cop’s courage goes beyond badge

DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Lt. Tony Tamburro, who was recently named Dearborn Heights Police Officer of the Year, has proven that real courage doesn’t come from a badge ? it comes from the person wearing it.

“You can’t give up hope. There are days I feel tired, but I feel great now,” said Tamburro, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2004.

Tamburro, a Dearborn Heights resident since 1989, has been with the police department since 1987, when he started doing road patrols.

“I do miss that sometimes,” Tamburro, 43, said. “When you respond, you never know what to expect when you get there.”

Tamburro found that out one night when he followed someone driving with no headlights for two blocks before the driver pulled into a driveway.

“Of all the homes on the block, he picked my driveway to pull into,” Tamburro said. The suspect was arrested.

These days, Tamburro can be found at the police station, where is assigned to research and development. He took the position in November after Lt. Dave Knezek, who had previously held the position, retired.

“I learned a lot from watching him,” Tamburro said. “And I’ve always liked playing with computers.”

According to Tamburro, he deals with just about everything involving computers at the station, including those that handle dispatch and incoming 911 emergency calls.

“I’m constantly researching ways to improve our police department,” Tamburro said.

In addition to being the self-described “go-to guy” for computers, Tamburro keeps busy with a variety of other projects.

Since joining the force, he has served as the officer in charge of the traffic bureau, president of the Dearborn Heights Police Supervisors Association and union president.

“It’s almost a complete career. I started on the road, and now I’m Officer of the Year,” Tamburro said

But while receiving the award was nice, Tamburro said that his real motivation for fighting the illness and continuing to do all that he can, both personally and professionally, comes from his family, especially his children – Lauren, 9, and Anthony, 6.

“I love seeing my kids every day,” he said. “I want to be around to see them grow up.”

Tamburro says his wife Kelli, to whom he has been married for almost 13 years, is a constant source of support.

“She’s been the best wife a guy could ask for,” he said. “My family is what keeps me going.”

Tamburro said he has needed their support often, especially when he underwent treatments in May 2004 that included chemotherapy, radiation, blood tests, X-rays and more.

But through it all, both his family and his co-workers say that Tamburro has remained the same fair and hard-working man that they have known for years.

In fact, according to Administrative Capt. John LeBenne, the only time that Tamburro took off from work was due to surgery.

“Doing my job helps keep my mind off of what’s wrong,” Tamburro said. “I come here, then I get to go home and see my family.”

Tamburro said he is the first and only member of his family to go into law enforcement ? a decision he made after being rear-ended by a drunken driver when he was in his late teens.

While his parents were initially against the idea, Tamburro said that once they saw how much he enjoyed the job they supported his decision.

“I don’t have any regrets about becoming a police officer,” Tamburro said.

Through his determination and hard work, Tamburro has become an inspiration to his family and friends.

Because of his ordeal, he said he has learned to prioritize the things that are most important to him.

“Every day I wake up, I’m happy to be here.”