The late Albert Lea Police Lt. Phil Bartusek received the premiere Minnesota Mothers Against Drunk Driving award Monday for his efforts to prevent underage drinking in the community.

During a ceremony in the Freeborn Room of the Freeborn County Government Center, Julie Zamora, youth program specialist with the state chapter of MADD, presented the 2009 Choice Award to Phil Bartusek’s widow Mary Bartusek, daughter Erin Streefland and son-in-law Dave Streefland.

The organization typically makes the recognition at an annual awards banquet. Phil Bartusek passed away in December 2008 after a long battle with cancer.

Zamora said he worked tirelessly to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors and went above that effort to also hold adult providers accountable.

“He changed the face of underage drinking in Albert Lea,” she said.

During the first year of the Zero Adult Provider program locally, which he gained state and national recognition for his leadership, there was a 500 percent increase in the number of arrests related to underage drinking, Zamora noted. This is something other communities should also look to achieve.

“This was Phil’s passion,” Mary Bartusek said through tears after receiving the award for her husband. “He just wanted to make sure kids came home safe.”

He served in the Albert Lea Police Department for 26 years, during which he also worked to curb tobacco use in teenagers. He was in charge of the city’s compliance checks and worked to get increased penalties for selling to minors.

In 2007, he received the Commissioner’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Services by the Minnesota Department of Health.

He has also received a commendation medal and a merit medal on behalf of the Albert Lea Police Department.

Zamora said out of the three-fold mission of MADD — to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this crime and to prevent underage drinking — the latter is oftentimes the hardest to do. But that’s what Phil Bartusek did.

“Phil was a leader throughout the nation for his efforts,” said Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels. “He was definitely the leader for the state of Minnesota and definitely for the city of Albert Lea.”

Winkels said he hopes the department can further Phil Bartusek’s mission in his absence.

Zamora said this is the first time anyone has won the Choice Award for underage drinking prevention.

In the past, the award has gone to other law enforcement officers or community members.

Sheila Nesbitt with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health, who nominated Phil Bartusek for the award, said Phil Bartusek was incomparable.

“There’s nobody like Phil,” said Nesbitt, who worked with him on the ZAP project.

She noted he would often take his own personal time to work with other counties on the project as well.

In addition to his heavy involvement in the Police Department, Phil Bartusek had also been involved with Albert Lea School District activities, Albert Lea Education Foundation, St. Theodore’s Catholic Church activities, Bayside Ski Club, Festival of Bands, House of Hope and the Albert Lea Family Y. Phil ran for the office of Freeborn County Sheriff in 2002.

In 2006, the Bartuseks were campaign chairpersons for the United Way of Freeborn County.

At the start of that campaign, the Bartuseks made the statement, “Every day every one of us has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people around us, whether it is family, friends, coworkers or even individuals we have never even met.”