The Observer Newspapers | Officer Has Watched Herndon Mature Into A Vibrant Town

Sept. 5 , 2008

Officer Has Watched Herndon Mature Into A Vibrant Town

The Town of Herndon police place a strong emphasis on community policing and their partnership with the community. In this series, The Observer will profile officers who work and live near or grew up in the Herndon community.

By Rebecca Plevin

Observer Staff Writer

Capt. Brad Anzengruber said that when he began working for the Herndon Police Department in 1979, the police officers spent every other day walking their beat or riding a moped around town. Herndon was a small town then, he said, and the police officers became acquainted with all the local business owners and residents. "You got to know everyone you dealt with," he said.

Almost 30 years later, Anzengruber said he does not miss riding mopeds—and he is glad to see that the Herndon has become a vibrant town with a professional police force. He said Herndon now has the types of serious crimes found in cities and has a very diverse population. The police department has adapted to these changes, he said, and officers can now spend a long, fulfilling career in the town. "I'm glad it's gotten this way," he said. "It's much more exciting and interesting."

When he is at the station, Anzengruber oversees field operations. But when he's not on duty, Anzengruber said he likes to spend his time outdoors, especially on his motorcycle. He said he enjoys riding his motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway and he likes to "get into the scenery." He said he likes the feel of the wind and the smell of nature, but joked that as a biker, it is important to not get too lost in the scenes beyond the road.

Anzengruber owns a home in the mountains outside Lynchburg, and he said he completely refurbished the house and repaired the siding, windows, roof and plumbing. He said he visits the home about once or twice a month and while there, he likes to fish, hunt deer and hike the two tall peaks, Sharp Top Mountain and Flat Top Mountain.

He and his family live in Lovettsville, Va., and each year, he said, he and he his family raise a steer at their home and later have it butchered. (This year, he said, the cow's name is Chester.) He said they always keep a side of beef and the meat lasts about a year in the freezer. His family likes to eat the meat from their own steer, he said, because "you know what went into it."

Anzengruber said he is proud to have worked for the Herndon police for almost 30 years and said, "I never thought I'd be here this long." But once he starts talking about why he likes working in Herndon, it is obvious why he has remained here. "I like working with everyone who works for the Town of Herndon," he said. And as much as he likes his coworkers, he is also fond of the town residents. "The people love you here," he said, adding that the community "supports us so well."