This year, the Village of Montgomery will honor and salute retired Sergeant Adam Kuncl as the 2024 Montgomery Fest Grand Marshal. Sergeant Kuncl, a Montgomery resident, began his service and allegiance to the Village in 2000, continuing until 2012, when he was injured in the line of duty. “This year, we honor Sergeant Kuncl, who embodies the spirit that we celebrated early this Summer with the unveiling of our two new monuments at Montgomery Park; he puts service above himself,” said mayor Brolley. “There is no better candidate for Grand Marshal as one who truly embodies the men and women in law enforcement who selflessly protect our residents and visitors 365 days a year, 24/7.”
Sergeant Kuncl dedicated his career to serving his community, embodying the values of leadership, integrity, and commitment that defined his tenure with the Montgomery Police Department. His journey in law enforcement began at the old police department on Route 25, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a respected leader known for his calm demeanor and dedication to his team.
Known for his leadership on the midnight shift, Sergeant Kuncl was destined for higher ranks within the department, following in the footsteps of his father, who had served as a Police Chief in Brookfield, Ill.. His leadership style was marked by a laid-back, approachable nature, making him easy to work for and deeply trusted by his colleagues. Sergeant Stransky, who eventually succeeded him, shared that “back in the day, you couldn’t work the same shift (days or nights) for more than nine months at a time; for more than three years, I would rotate to whichever shift he was on, he was a leader you wanted to work for and be around.”
On September 29, 2012, Sergeant Kuncl’s promising career was cut short. While responding to a call for a party on Oakton where possible shots had been fired, he was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a subject fleeing the scene. The incident left him with significant injuries, including a brain bleed, a fractured skull, a broken back, and foot and leg injuries, to name a few. Despite the severity of his injuries, Sergeant Kuncl recovered physically and emotionally. Although he could never return to active-duty law enforcement, his impact on the department and his peers was indelible.
Even after being forced into retirement due to his injuries, Kuncl continued to serve his department and community. He has been a dedicated member of the Police Pension Board since 2003, where he remains. His commitment to law enforcement is a testament to his enduring passion for the profession that runs deep in his family.
Kuncl shares, “The most incredible outcome of the ordeal was the outpouring of support from the community. I received dozens of get-well letters from classrooms at Lakewood Creek and McDole Elementary Schools, which I still have. Neighbors got together to welcome me home from the hospital, and many local families, some of whom I did not know, brought meals for our family during my recovery. It was truly humbling; our family has never been more thankful.”
Beyond his professional life, Kuncl has built a loving family with his wife, Sharon, with whom he has shared 25 years of marriage. The couple resides in Montgomery and has two daughters, Katelyn, 22, a recent graduate of Illinois State University, and Emma, 20, studying nursing at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Kuncl family is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first grandchild, a baby boy, any day now.
Throughout his 12 years of service, Kuncl witnessed the department grow from a small team of a dozen officers serving a community of 5,000 people into a much larger force. He played a vital role in mentoring and developing new officers, watching them grow and succeed in their careers. His experience on the force was a blend of challenges, excitement, and moments of humility—an experience that shaped him into the exceptional leader he became.
Sergeant Kuncl’s story is of resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his community and fellow officers. His legacy continues to inspire those who knew him and served after him. Kuncl and his wife Sharon will ride in a Montgomery Police Department vehicle in the parade. The Village of Montgomery invites all residents and local community members to join in honoring Sergeant Kuncl at the Montgomery Fest Parade that will step off from Main St. and Mill St. at 1:00P on Sunday, August 18. Pre-parade entertainment and kids’ activities begin at 10:30A near the Grandstand at Village Hall (200 N. River St.).
For more information regarding the upcoming Montgomery Fest August 16-18, please visit the montgomeryil.org website.
— Village of Montgomery