Alma Mater Award

Daniel Groves ’89

Daniel Groves demonstrated his deep desire to live a life of service upon graduating from St. Norbert College in 1989, when he embarked on further studies to become a religious brother. The Chicago-area native taught briefly at a Catholic school in New York City before deciding that his true calling lay elsewhere, and he returned to Chicago. He then landed a job in the technology sector, maintaining his passion for community involvement service to others through charity work and church involvement.

Some 15 years later, Dan’s desire to do even more for the community led him to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was accepted into the Chicago Police Academy, only to suffer an injury in training that cost him his slot on the force. Other departments in the region were hesitant to take on a new recruit at the age of 40; undaunted, Dan looked outside the area and eventually moved west to join the Colorado State Patrol. Dan found his calling with the State Patrol, enthusiastically serving in a number of roles before being promoted to corporal and assigned to Weld County.

Dan and his fellow officers had their hands full the morning of March 13, 2019, as severe winter weather moved in. Now a 12-year veteran, Dan knew conditions would be deteriorating quickly and headed out to monitor traffic on I-76 in the southern portion of the vast county.

It wasn’t long before Dan stopped to assist a driver who had slid off the highway near the small town of Roggen. While attending to the disabled vehicle, Dan was struck by another driver who lost control of his car in the blizzard conditions. Several people stopped to help, some acting heroically in an effort to save Dan’s life. However, his injuries proved too severe, and Dan passed away at the age of 52.

Colorado State Patrol Chief Colonel Matthew Packard said Dan “died doing what he loved. And I’m willing to bet he knew the risk of being out of his car that day. He knew what was at stake when he went out to I-76 that morning. He was out there to save lives.”

Dan’s life exemplified the Norbertine values of service to community and caring for those in need. It is with deep gratitude that we posthumously honor Corporal Daniel Groves with the Alma Mater Award, and convey our appreciation for his public service.