MANKATO, Minn. -
After months of training and anticipation, local dance pros and some well–known novices finally get to strut their stuff and raise money for the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
For everyone involved, the event is an opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause. For Mankato Public Safety Director Todd Miller, it's more.
Miller says, "We are committed tonight because we are team Troy, we are raising money in honor of Troy Mueller who was one of my officers who passed away about a year ago, my dance pro is his daughter."
Miller and his partner Nicole Mueller's dance is a combination of the west coast swing and hip–hop.
Miller says, "My dance pro has been teaching me some things and I've been trying to teach her something's because she had never done swing before and I'd never done hip hop before."
Miller is by no means an avid dancer.
"I dance with my wife," he says.
But he says Troy Mueller, who was a 22–year veteran of Mankato Public Safety, never hesitated to help out the community, so in honor of him, he is happy to help too...even if that means lacing up some dance shoes and busting a move to the "bad boys" theme song in a room packed full of people.
Miller says, "When he went on a call he was concerned about people he was a great hearted individual, great sense of humor and we really miss him."
While Miller hopes to dance away with the highest score, it is a competition after all; he said raising money for the Red Cross while honoring his former comrade will be the real prize.
Miller and 12 other local "stars", including News 12's own Stacy Steinhagen, danced in front of a sold–out crowd.
