Brainerd Police Department School Resource Officer Larry Helsene smiled at Lindsey Hanson (left) at Brainerd High School this week. Also joining the conversation were students Matt Matich, Jerod Fallon, Shanna Simmons, Vanessa Hines and Mat Bourassa. Helsene left his position with Brainerd police Thursday to take an active tour of duty with the National Guard. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)

By JODIE TWEED
Staff Writer

He's been a fixture at Brainerd High School for the past four years.

But when his country came calling, Brainerd Police Officer Larry Helsene made the tough decision to leave his position within the police department, a job he's held for the past 23 years, to help military families who have loved ones serving overseas.

Helsene, a school resource officer for the Brainerd School District, also has served for more than 30 years as a member of the Army National Guard. He is now a command sergeant major stationed at Camp Ripley.

Last week Helsene was asked if he would take a year-and-a-half military leave to help build the National Guard Family Support Network in Minnesota, which will work to coordinate family support networks throughout the state so National Guard families will be matched with community help or other services they may need while a family member is involved in Operation Enduring Freedom. The volunteer support groups will help serve families involved in other military branches as well, not just the National Guard, he said.

Helsene decided to accept the tour of active duty, which means he will be on military leave until September 2004, serving at the National Guard Family Support Network headquarters in Cottage Grove. He starts his new position March 3.

Helsene's last day working within Brainerd schools was Thursday.

Helsene said he will miss the students he's worked with for the past four years, but he is deeply interested in helping military families who need support while a parent or spouse is serving their country.

"I love my job here," said Helsene. "I love working with young adults, but I think in the past we haven't done enough for these families left behind. It's for the people left behind and the people over there. It gives them a peace of mind that their families can lean on. A lot of people in the communities want to help and this is a way to coordinate that help."

Helsene said he may retire from the police department after his military leave has ended, but he has yet to make that decision.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," he said. "I've had a lot of big decisions to make in the past week and a half."

"Larry will be missed," said Brainerd Police Chief John Bolduc. "His work at the high school and as a school resource officer has been invaluable. I think his personality is well-suited for that position. He's personable and laid-back and able to relate to students."

While Helsene is on military leave, Brainerd Police Officer Jack Davies will cover his duties. Davies also is a school resource officer within Brainerd schools.

"Larry's just been a wonderful part of our team here at the high school," said assistant principal Erich Heise. "He works well with the kids and he does a nice job interacting with all of us.

"Kids have always been very comfortable with Larry. He's always been fair and caring and shown them respect. They may not like the consequences of their actions, but I've never heard a negative comment about Larry from students or parents. We'll miss him," said Heise.

Helsene also worked as a police investigator for about 13 years within the police department, in addition to regular patrol duties and his work within Brainerd schools.

"The whole week has been kind of sad," said Helsene, as he stood in the hallway Wednesday at Brainerd High School. Students often called out, "Hi, Larry," or simply waved to him as they walked past on their way to their classes. Helsene knows many of the school's 1,700 students by name.

"It's hard to leave something you like," he said.