Moline Police Honor WWII Vet with $1.5K Student Scholarship

High school seniors in Moline, Illinois, have a new chance to fund their dreams of serving others, thanks to local police honoring one of their own heroes.

The Moline Police Department and Police Benevolent Association are awarding $1,500 in scholarships to three graduating seniors planning careers in service fields like teaching, nursing, social work, or law enforcement. The program honors Captain Art Gustus, who fought in World War II and then spent 35 years protecting his hometown as a Moline police officer before retiring in 1980.

Students from Moline-Coal Valley School District, Alleman High School, or Quad Cities Christian Schools can apply. They'll need to write at least 500 words explaining how they plan to serve their community after college and how they're already volunteering now.

First place wins $1,000, and two runners-up each receive $500. Applications are due May 15, 2026, with winners announced in June.

Why This Inspires

This scholarship does more than help pay tuition. It connects young people to a legacy of service that stretches back eight decades, from the battlefields of World War II to the streets Captain Gustus walked as an officer.

By asking students to describe their current volunteer work, the application itself celebrates teens who are already making a difference. These aren't just future helpers. They're today's community builders getting recognized and encouraged to keep going.

The scholarship also shows how police departments can strengthen community bonds by investing in the next generation of teachers, social workers, and first responders who'll serve alongside them.

Young people dreaming of careers that help others now have hometown support turning those dreams into funded reality.