Businesses say Officer Juhl was part of their community

Barry Juhl

Barry Juhl ~ 1945-2011

By Eileen O. Daday

For years, Arlington Heights Police Officer Barry Juhl walked his beat in the village’s downtown business district, going store to store and checking in with merchants.

“He was like an ambassador to the business community,” says Bill Harris of Harris Pharmacy. “You felt more connected to the village and more protected. He handled everything from parking issues to marketing with the village.”

Mr. Juhl passed away on Jan. 20 after a battle with cancer. He was 65.

Arlington Heights Police Capt. Nick Pecora said Mr. Juhl was the face of the department to the downtown merchants, and he represented the village well.
“He was a perfect fit,” Pecora said, “because of his personality and his professionalism.”

Pecora adds Mr. Juhl extended his community reach in the summers, when he worked with the police department at the annual July Fourth festival, Frontier Days. After he retired from the force he stayed with Frontier Days as a volunteer.
Katie Flaherty, who owns Flaherty Jewelers in Arlington Heights, said Mr. Juhl’s laugh was contagious, but he also brought a sense of comfort to local business owners.
“He stopped in every day to check on us,” Flaherty said. “That was reassuring, especially for a jeweler.”

Mr. Juhl was a Marine during the Vietnam War, and when he returned, he began working for the village.

In all, Mr. Juhl worked 40 years in Arlington Heights, including 33 with the police department. His remaining years were spent as the liaison for the police department with the Cook County Court system. He retired in November.

Over the years, walking his beat, he helped to deter theft and shoplifting, as well as investigate vagrants and vandalism.

Officials at Harris Pharmacy recall how Juhl helped to catch a customer passing fake prescriptions, and also helped clear up unwanted activity behind their building.
“Having a police officer so close, helped us be proactive in those kinds of situations,” Harris says, “instead of just reacting to situations.”

Mr. Juhl is survived by his wife, Karen, and children Christen Fisher, Jason (Heather) Cash, Jonathan (Nicole) Juhl, Sean (Monica) Juhl, Whitney (David) Tobin and Nathan (Stacy) Cash; as well as seven grandchildren.

Services have been held.