In these trying times, we've got a local hero on our side

We are currently living in unusual times.

There is a good deal of uncertainty about how soon it will be safe for people to once again congregate in groups without risking the spread of a virus that has little effect on many people but deadly consequences for some.

It's nice to know, then, that there still are heroes out here in our community who do their jobs day in and day out, their only thoughts on the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens.

On Monday, Saline County was a little safer thanks to the work of police officers, firefighters and emergency responders. I'd like to mention one person specifically: Jason Dunn of Carrier Mills.

I've never met Mr. Dunn, but he is a member of the Illinois Secretary of State Police. In particular, he's a member of the Hazardous Device Unit, or as it's more commonly called, the "bomb squad."

Monday, a man from Florida happened to be at the Harrisburg Walmart. For reasons unknown, he became convinced someone had planted a bomb in his vehicle and contacted authorities.

While police officers tried to keep everyone at a safe distance from the truck, the man continued to try to return to the truck. For his safety, he was detained and moved to a squad car.

Then, the dangerous task of examining the truck and what could have been a lethal explosive device began.

According to witnesses and law enforcement officers, Dunn was the man for the job. While fortunately there was no bomb, a person in that very high-pressure situation has no way of knowing whether a threat is legitimate or not until it is examined. To safely take control of such a situation is the work of a hero.

Digging a little deeper, I learned that Mr. Dunn has an impressive history with the Secretary of State Police. He has been part of Secretary of State Jesse While's personal security detail in addition to other functions. He volunteered to be a member of the bomb squad in 2012. According to an article published in the Harrisburg Register/Eldorado Journal, Dunn has worked for the Secretary of State Police since 2005. In 2014, he was named a member of Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School's Distinguished Alumni. He's a graduate of the CMSF High School Class of 1993. According to police officers who know him, he's a top-notch member of law enforcement and a talented investigator.

Like I said, I don't know Jason Dunn.

But it's nice to know in times like these that heroes like Jason Dunn still exist.