steveparker

In 2005, Steven won a sound alike contest sponsored by the National Crime
Prevention Council in Washington DC. McGruff the Crime Dog was created by Jack
Keil, who also provides the gruff and gravelly voice reminding people to "Take a bite
out of crime!" Jack Kiel is still the official voice until he decides to retire, and Steven is
his official stand in and eventual successor. Steven assists with radio spots locally (and
occasionally nationally) and some local television spots, some in Des Moines, and with
Ameritech in Chicago).

Steven was born in Burlington and grew up in the Des Moines County area, he
graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1970. Growing up, Steven Parker was a fan
of puppetry and ventriloquism. He is now a professional ventriloquist and
illusionist/magician and currently working towards a "Performer Elite" Rating through
the VIT (Ventriloquists in Training Program) with One Way Street in Englewood, CO.

     He graduated from Southeastern Community College in 1972, Northeast Missouri
State (Truman State) in 1975, and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 1976.
Steven began his career in law enforcement with the Des Moines County Sheriffs
Office in March 1975, while doing his internship with Northeast Missouri State. He is
presently a Sergeant in the Crime Prevention/Community Relations Division.

     After he was introduced to the public service spots on television in 1980, he
decided to incorporate his interests and talents as a showman and he created one of
the first McGruff costumes. Building a paper mache head and finding a pair of old
gum-shoes and an old trench coat with plaid pants, Steven made appearances at
schools and events across the state. As a sheriff's Deputy, Steven wanted to teach
children the importance of crime prevention. Two years later, the National Crime
Prevention Council followed Steven's example and produced the first commercially
based costume to spread the word. Steven was one of the few "McGruff's" out there
that could capture the unique voice characteristics and wear the costume.

     "McGruff is a very hard voice, however after portraying him for 26 years-the vocal
cords must be stretched to the limit." Besides the gravely voiced hound dog, Steven
also enjoys doing many other character impressions. Besides McGruff,
his favorites include Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, Al
Jolson, and television's favorite equine linguist: "Mr Ed!"

     There are many, many McGruffs out there in the country, but Steven probably has
the most longevity and is probably the most enthusiastic...and now he is the "Voice"
reminding you to "Take a Bite out of Crime!"



						Out of the 4000 active McGruff's in costume across the nation, Sargent Steven Parker of the Des Moines County Sheriff's Department in Burlington, IA, is the most distinctive of all. In October of 2005, Steven was chosen to be successor to Jack Kiel as the official voice for McGruff the Crime Dog, continuing the legend of the cultural icon and effective crime "biting" tool. McGruff has been staring in public service announcements since July, 1980.