By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Native son Jay Backer fulfilled a lifelong dream Monday.

He was sworn in as a part-time police officer with the New Ulm Police Department at the Law Enforcement Center.

Backer was sworn in by New Ulm City Council President and acting New Ulm Mayor Dan Beranek.

Pride in New Ulm that kept Backer here.

"I wanted to work in New Ulm all my life. I'm real excited to be working here," said Backer. "I'm proud of the community I grew up in."

A 1992 graduate of New Ulm High School, Backer originally went to Minnesota State University with the intention of becoming a physical education teacher.

A couple years ago, he changed his major to law enforcement.

"Law enforcement always interested me, but I wasn't sure if it fit my personality. I decided to give it a try and have loved it ever since," Backer said.

The youngest of eight children of Cal and the late Carol Backer, he coached the New Ulm Junior Legion baseball team for four years and is now the team's assistant coach.

He was a member of the 1992 New Ulm American Legion Baseball team that won the state championship with just 12 players.

He worked at the Liquor Mart in New Ulm for nine years before moving on to the Brown County Evaluation Center for 18 months.

Backer joins New Ulm Police Department