By Mitch Hotts
The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich.
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — Robert Woonton was only 2 when his father helped start the Macomb County Fallen Heroes Memorial in Mount Clemens.
Now the 19-year-old newest member of the Fraser Department of Public Safety says he will eventually take over his father’s role at the memorial.
Minutes after he officially became a police officer in Fraser last month, the rookie officer spoke of his years growing up in his father’s shadow of public service. It’s something he strives to emulate.
“I don’t want to sound corny, but I feel I’m meant to do something in public service in this job in Fraser,” he said.
A crowd of about two dozen people gathered in City Hall to witness his swearing-in ceremony.
Woonton, a Lake Shore High School graduate, joins a family of public servants.
His father, Bob Woonton, is a retired captain from the Roseville Fire Department, while his sister Caitlyn is a dispatcher for SERESA, the regional 911 service. Caitlyn is married to officer Cameron Rieper, who was in recently in the news for rescuing a woman from a burning pickup truck.
He has graduated from the Macomb Police Academy and Fire Academy, and is working on his licensing to become an emergency medical technician. Fraser’s public safety officers are cross-trained in all three disciplines.
“Robert has a huge future in front of him,” said Samantha Kretzschma, Fraser’s public safety director. “He started his life of public service before he could even read a book or walk and talk.”
The young officer said he is honored be part of Fraser’s “family,” but acknowledges he has yet to prove himself to the department.
Woonton played hockey while attending high school, but didn’t pursue college opportunities because he realized he had a slim chance of turning professional.
“I wanted to start on my career as soon as possible,” he said. “I feel I have the attitude needed for the job and I’m 100% ready for it.”
His dad was part of a committee that was instrumental in creating a memorial to recognize Macomb County first responders who have died in the line of duty. The group raised in excess of $100,000 for the memorial — a double V-shaped monument with benches, brick pavers and headstone that contains the names of 39 police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and one dog.
The purpose of the memorial is to “to keep their memories alive,” one organizer said.
“He’s been around the fire department his whole life and he enjoys coming to the police department, too,” Bob Woonton said. “As a kid, he saw us raising money for the memorial and he wanted to take it over when I am done. It’s been a passion of mine for quite a while and I’m sure he will take good care of it.”
Officer Woonton agreed.
“I think it’s a great idea to honor people who have put their lives at risk every day and who have passed. I think they need one in every county, honestly.” he said. “I’m proud of my father for starting the memorial and I’m grateful to be taking it over in the future.”
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