Halliday awarded the Distinguished Community
Service Award!
Commodore Charlie Manning presided to honor a friend of the boating community
and a friend of his, Bill Halliday. 
Everybody
knows Bill as a dedicated officer who has dutifully served the boaters in
Racine.
The Commodore remarks, "it would be remiss not to mention how I met Bill. It
was a sunny summer afternoon when he stopped me on a trumped up charge of room
at the mark. Hands on the boom and spread ‘em’ was his command. I complied
while Bill’s large, rugged hands checked me for sharp objects and weapons.
“OK, Manning, what’s this” Bill says? It’s a rigging knife and I did not
violate rule 18.2 which clearly states… Everything went dark at that point.
That’s the last thing I remember. When I woke up, I found myself safely
tethered on a four way tie in the middle of the mooring field. The most
interesting thing about that story is that’s exactly how Carol Halliday met
Bill. It all starts as small time no-wake beef, then there’s a quick frisk and
the next thing you know, you start sailing doubles together."
He’s just that kind of guy.
Club members assembled to honor Bill Halliday’s service to our community. Here
are a few of the highlights of his distinguished career.
Hired in 1980, Bill has served on the Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, and
was promoted to Detective. During his career, he has been a member of
the
Racine County SWAT team for 20 years, and the Snowmobile Team for 28 years.
Later, promoted to Sergeant, he was assigned as Officer in Charge of the Racine
County Water Patrol in 1994. During the winters, he has been Officer in Charge
of the Snowmobile Patrol. During his career, Bill has received numerous
recognitions and awards. A two time recipient of recognition from, Racine
Unified, he also has received recognition from the Kenosha, Milwaukee, and
Walworth Police Departments. He is a Distinguished master Shooter in the
Sheriff’s Department. Bill has demonstrated leadership throughout his career.
He has served as Officer in Charge of , The School Patrol Program, The Truancy
Abatement Program, Authored the COPS in School Program Grant and acted as
Officer in Charge of that program
Bill has consistently used his knowledge to instruct and develop the skills of
the Racine boating community. He is a certified instructor for the Wisconsin
DNR and has conducted Boater Safety, Snowmobile Safety and ATV safety classes.
He is a certified instructor for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and has taught
Basic Boating, Crewman Qualified and has attended the national coxswain school.
In Bill’s 17 years as OIC at the Water Patrol, the unit has handled 5000 calls
for service that would include 1500 vessels in distress.
What’s that job like?
It would be fair to say that at certain times you, your boat and your crew are
in situations where you are leaving the harbor just when it might be the right
time to be returning. It would be fair to say that you would regularly put your
life at risk to save the life of another. It would be fair to say that some days
don’t turn out so good while other days, you are a hero. Now, do all that. Give
up your weekends. Spend countless hours on the boats while smiling and
maintaining a positive attitude while you deal with declining budgets and aging
equipment.
As Bill has often said to Charlie Manning, “Boating’s not for everybody.”
Charlie would say to him that his boating career is for very, very few.
The Commodore closed with this quote from Bill… “I was hired by the Milwaukee
Police Department on March 10, 1980. The same day I was to start at the Racine
Sheriffs Department. I am sure that I made the right choice.” Bill, we are
all sure too! Bill, thank you for being part of our Club and a part of the
boating community.
The Racine Yacht Club is proud to present you with the Racine Yacht Club
Distinguished Community Service Award.