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Gliniewicz Revelations Shocking For Those In Explorer Program

(CBS) -- Revelations that Fox Lake Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz committed suicide and allegedly stole money from the Explorer program are big blow for those who looked up to him. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot has more on that part of the story.

That program is dedicated to helping young people who have a love of law enforcement and community service and the hope is this incident doesn't tarnish a program that has done so much, for so many young people.

"My thoughts first of all shock and then my thoughts were to the family," said Mike Hale. "I remember the funeral and all of that and it just, we were so proud at the time, you know, of the Explorer advisor and just really felt pain at that time and certainly feel it now."

Hale is a Scout Executive at the Boy Scouts of America Northeast Illinois Council. The Explorer program is part of the Scouts. Glieniwicz and his wife were advisors for that program in Fox Lake.

Investigators say Gliniewicz covered up financial misdeeds including taking money from the Explorer program.

"It is a little disheartening too, to hear that there may have been some issues there that obviously we wouldn't approve of or condone," Hale said. "By all accounts he was a terrific advisor, was around for a long time to advise quite a few youth."

The Boy Scouts of America issued a statement that says: "Our prayers continue to be with the family and friends of Mr. Gliniewicz and our thoughts are with the Fox Lake Police Department during this difficult time. This individual was an Exploring advisor, which is a part of Learning for Life, an affiliated program with the Boy Scouts of America that provides character and career education programs through sponsoring agencies or groups. We will work with the local authorities and the Exploring Post while they closely review this matter, and we will connect with the Post's youth members to see how they are doing. In the meantime, we will continue to deliver meaningful experiences to youth in the community who are interested in law enforcement as a career."

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