Fox Lake community divided over truth about Lt. Gliniewicz's death

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Kids in many instances learned the ropes of policing through Fox Lake Lt. Joe Gliniewicz. But now, they've had the rug pulled out from under them and the community is doubting the man that they admired and aspired to be.

“I was in shock,” said 23-year-old Paul Culbertson.

Culbertson, a graduate of the Fox Lake Explorer's Program, reacted to the news that his former mentor committed suicide.

FOX 32 interviewed Culbertson back in September, after he'd come out to show his support for the Lt. and his family.

“It’s just takes one person that really impacts your life and he was the (one),” Culbertson said.

Culbertson was so inspired by what he learned from Gliniewicz that he went on to pursue a career in law enforcement.

And his opinion of the man who taught him so much hasn't changed much.

“It doesn't taint my view of Joe,” he said.

Gliniewicz appears on the Exploer's website in a video for the organization that teaches up to 25 young men and women aged 14 to 21 throughout the year.

Because of the role Gliniewicz played in the Explorer's, Culbertson doubts the role Gliniewicz had in his own death.

“I don't believe he killed himself,” he said.

According to the Explorer's website, the group meets every Wednesday night. But it appears that tonight their meeting was cancelled.