SOUTH SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
2009 Award recipients
and 2008 Scholarship Recipients
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY POLICE OFFICER ALAN PERLEY
On March 23 rd 2009 at 2106 hours, the Canadian National Police communication center received a call from their Markham train yard that a train crew saw a trespasser hiding at the end of the yard. Patrol Officer Alan Perley was notified and responded. Upon arrival in the area Officer Perley encountered a subject who upon seeing him, began to flee. As officer Perley gave chase, the subject turned and fired a handgun at Officer Perley. Officer Perley returned fire fatally striking the subject. Further investigation found that the subject who was only wanted for “trespassing” was actually a Parole violator with an active warrant for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery and Escape from the State of Michigan.
Officer Perley is to be commended for his ability to quickly and professionally handle a life threatening situation from what had started as a very minor event.
Peace Officer Meritorious Service Award
COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S POLICE DEPT. INVESTIGATOR LEONE UGARTE
On July 24th 2009, at 1600 hours Cook County Investigator Leone Ugarte was off-duty and at a barber shop waiting to get a haircut in the area of 1400 W. 18th street, Chicago when he heard 3-4 gunshots followed by the sound of broken glass. Investigator Ugarte ran to the front of the business and observed a Male/White subject holding a gun and chasing a Male/Hispanic subject. Inv. Ugarte chased both subjects while identifying himself as a police officer and displaying his star. The male/white subject was identified as an off-duty Chicago Officer who witnessed the shooting and was chasing the shooter. Both Inv. Ugarte and the Off-duty Chicago Officer caught up to the subject who had to be forcibly subdued by Inv. Ugarte and taken into custody. After on duty officers arrived and took custody of the suspect. It was then learned that the suspect was a known member of the Latin King street gang who had fired numerous rounds into an auto waiting at the stop light in front of the Barber shop striking one of the passengers several times. This had been witnessed by the off-duty Chicago Officer who then gave pursuit.
The shot subject succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. Thanks to Inv. Ugarte willingness to get involved even though off-duty, the suspect was captured, the weapon recovered and the suspected charged with 1st degree murder.
Peace Officer Meritorious Service Award
SOUTH HOLLAND POLICE OFFICER TODD KOSTER
On 5-29-09 at 0722 hours , the South Holland Police Department responded to the First Student Transportation company located on State Street in reference to one of their bus drivers acting erratically. The employee had confrontations with several fellow employees and then jumped on a bus drove away nearly striking several people as he fled. A dispatch was put out to surrounding towns and while officers looked for the bus another bus driver saw it in Riverdale and notified the police.
Riverdale officers attempted to stop the bus but a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit which traveled through several towns and through construction sites, and school zones at reckless speeds, the bus driver struck a Riverdale squad car and two other cars. In Glenwood the bus came to a stop at a construction site and attempts were made by South Holland Police Officer Todd Koster to stop the bus by ordering the driver to shut off the engine and exit the bus. The driver ignored those orders and attempted to once again drive the bus away in the path of several other Police Officers. Fearing for the lives of those officers and other citizens, Officer Koster fired his weapon striking the driver and ending the dangerous situation before others could be hurt or killed.
Peace Officer Meritorious Service Award
COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S POLICE DEPT. LT. MICHAEL ANTON AND DETETECTIVE ANTHOnY STACK
In October of 2008, Detective Antony Stack of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police was contacted by the FBI with information regarding Child pornography that had been gained from an arrest of a female subject in Alton, Illinois. That information was that two woman had been using their 11 year old and 3 year old children as sex partners with others. Armed with that information Detective Stack contacted authorities in Alton and gained enough information to obtain a Search Warrant for a residence in Midlothian, the home of the second female, where evidence of Child Pornography was obtained.
Detective Stack and Lieutenant Michael Anton methodically interviewed the mother of that residence on several occasions and were able to obtain statements that implicated her and a male subject she met on the Internet . That information led to another search warrant of the male subject’s residence in Indiana where other computers and Child Pornographic images were recovered. Forensic review of that evidence found 12 other children victims from throughout the country, who where located and taken out of harm’s way. In May of 2009, due in no small part to the statement and evidence gained by Detective Stack and Lt. Anton all three suspects pled guilty to the charges of Conspiracy to Manufacture Pornography and Conspiracy to transport minors with the intent to Engage in Criminal sexual activity. In august of this year all three were sentenced to Life in prison.
CITIZENS AWARD
Anthony Burnham
On November 14 th 2006, at about 2:40 in the morning, a 19 year old girl was shot to death in the alley behind 2810 Chicago Road. The South Chicago Heights Police Department responded to a call of "Shots Fired" at that location. That call was placed by a resident, Anthony Burnham. An arrest was made and a subject was charged.
For the next three years, there were hearings to suppress evidence and the motions were denied. Slowly but surely excellent investigation and testimony withstood every challenge the defense could throw at them. On August 17, 2009, after three days of trial, a jury of 12 found the defendant guilty of First Degree Murder and guilty of Murder with a Firearm and he was 65 years in prison.
Anthony Burnham remained involved in this incident from the initial 911 phone call, Investigators interviews, preliminary and motion hearings and through the jury trial and never missed a court date. There were times that he even took public transportation so he could be in court.
Unit Citation
R.I.D.E. AND RELOCATE
In August 2008, The Cook County Sheriffs Police South Gang and Narcotics Unit and the Riverdale Police Department Detective Division formed a special joint team to combat Street narcotics dealing in high crime areas of Riverdale with a new innovative approach. The idea was to arrest drug dealing offenders in an undercover operation, with all illegal drug transactions videotaped for evidentiary purposes. To prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the violent repeat drug dealers and to offer an alternative to prosecution the drug dealers who had no criminal background or who had very minor brushes with the law. These non violent drug dealers would be provided with all necessary elements to exit from their start in narcotics crime. Philosophies of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the US Dept of Justice provided “out of the box thinking” in looking at this new way to alleviate narcotics crime in drug infested areas. Faith based groups and Social Service agencies were contacted and agreed to participate. They provided extra assistance with everything from job placement to counseling for drug dealers who qualified for this special program. If an offender were allowed into the program but failed to stay crime free a warrant would be obtained for the original drug dealing charge. With this plan started the” R.I.D.E.”, R-iverdale; I-ntervention; and D-etention; E-ffort program.
Several high crime drug infested areas in Riverdale were selected and the undercover police operation lasted 4 months. Undercover officers from the Cook County Sheriffs Police South Gang and Narcotics Unit saturated the specific areas as directed by Riverdale Detectives. Riverdale Detectives and Cook County Officers planned the operation and worked together to avoid being detected. Officers made hand to hand drug deals with offenders, with officers using various means to videotape all subjects and positively identify over 20 subjects dealing different kinds of narcotics.
In December 2008 Operation “RELOCATE” began with 21 violent drug offenders being arrested and charged with numerous drug offenses. Several search warrants were carried out; with drugs, guns, cars and money being confiscated. 4 non-violent drug dealers were allowed to participate in the RIDE program and 2 successfully completed the program. Crime in the affected areas dropped immediately. The RIDE program even yielded 1 subject who was praised for his new found outstanding work ethic by an employer and an appreciation letter to the officers for helping him turn his life around.
Without the outstanding efforts of these 2 organizations and the dedication of the officers involved in these units these results could not have happened.
Unit Citation
SOUTH HOLLAND INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
In 2008, from the Month of July through the Month of October the Village of South Holland experienced a spike in Residential Burglaries. During that time, evidence as well as information was gathered. After many hours of surveillance, investigating, interviewing and utilizing all available resources, Members of the South Holland Investigations Division Lead Investigator Detective Chris Lareau, Detective Jeff DeYoung, Detective Jill Mackowiak, Detective Robert Williams, Detective Dave Allen and Detective Mike Lareau were able to make fourteen felony arrests for Residential Burglary, recover thousands of dollars in proceeds and clear numerous burglaries in their jurisdiction.
Through countless hours of hard work and dedication, the Unit as a Team shared in this success.
Life saving Award
Justice Deputy Chief Kraig McDermott
On 03 Aug 09 @ 1221hrs, a resident arrived at the Justice Police Department to report his 2 year old daughter, as a missing person. He related that while he was preparing lunch at his residence, his daughter pushed a table up to a window in the family room and crawled out without his knowledge. He further stated that the back gate to his residence was ajar and the child was last seen wearing a diaper. She was missing for approximately ten (10) minutes when he arrived at the JPD to report the incident.
Deputy Chief Kraig McDermott of the Justice Police Department was present in the station when the father initiated the missing persons report. He overheard the conversation between the father and the assigned officer. D/C McDermott subsequently rushed out of the building to his squad car and proceeded quickly to the scene. Upon arrival to the area, he exited his vehicle and conducted a canvass on foot throughout the neighborhood. Approximately ten (10) minutes later, D/C McDermott heard the voice of a child coming from the backyard of a residence. He ran to the yard and observed an above ground four (4) foot swimming pool with a solar cover attached. Upon further investigation, D/C McDermott observed the missing child clinging atop the solar cover of the pool. The child’s body was completely submerged under water but her head was still above. He then quickly pulled the child to safety. This location was approximately two (2) blocks from the child’s residence. She was later reunited with her family and suffered no injuries.
D/C McDermott without hesitation assisted the patrol division and came to the aid of a child in extreme danger of drowning. His dedication to the community and the law enforcement profession was clearly represented during this lifesaving act. D/C McDermott is an administrator within the department, however, he has not forgotten that he is foremost a police officer.
Life saving Award
SOUTH HOLLAND POLICE OFFCICERS TODD KOSTER AND TED RHODES
On 7/3/09 South Holland Police Officers Todd Koster and Ted Rhodes responded to a dispatch of a house fire at 17245 Dobson. On their arrival they found the resident trapped in her bedroom because of the intense heat and dense smoke.
Officer Koster made several attempts to enter the front door of the home but was driven back by the smoke and heat. Officer Rhodes ran to the rear of the house and was able to break out a window and make entry. With the assistance of Officer Koster they were able to get the woman out of the house, along with her two dogs.
Because of their quick actions and devotion to duty the resident was saved from any injury or death.
Life saving Award
EAST HAZELCREST POLICE SERGEANT ROBERT WASEK
On 07-19-09, East Hazelcrest Police Sergeant Robert Wasek responded to a call of a man down. Sergeant Wasek was trhe first to arrive and found a male subject with no pulse and no respirations. Sgt. Wasek quickly attached the AED to the downed subject and was advised to deliver a shock which Sgt. Wasek did. The subject regained a heart beat but was still not breathing. Sgt. Wasek immediately began CPR and after one round the subject began to breath on his own. Sgt. Wsek kept his airway clear until the Paramedics arrived and transported the subject to the hospital where he later underwent bypass surgery.
Doctors at the hospital confirmed that without the quick response of Sgt. Wasek the patient would not have survived.
Life saving Award
OLYMPIA FIELDS POLICE OFFICER SCOTT METZGER
On June 15 th 2009 Olympia Fields Police Officer Scott Metzger responded to a call of a house fire. Upon his arrival he found the residence full of smoke. Without regard to his own safety he entered the residence and was able to locate through the thick smoke an elderly handicapped female laying on the floor of the hallway. Officer Metzger removed the female from the house and into the care of the paramedics who had arrived on the scene.
Officer Metzger risked his own life and safety to save the life of another.
Life saving Award
Lt. Carmen Consolino Cook County Sheriff’s Dept.
Corp. Ronald Brenza and Police Officer Carmen Scardine Justice Police Dept.
On Feb 8 th 2009, at 2155 hours, Lt. Carmen Consolino of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department was off-duty and traveling on Archer Road thru the Village of Justice when he observed a fire coming from the inside of a second floor of a townhouse. Lt. Consolino drove to the residence and immediately notified the Justice Police department of his observations and location. HE then began to evacuate the four families of the multi-unit townhome building. Residents of the building advised Lt. Consolino that there may be a female inside of the burning unit.
Lt. Consolino along with Corporal Ronald Brenza of the justice police dept. who had now arrived on the scene, attempted to gain entry to the residence, however the door was locked. They then began to kick the door until they were able to gain entry into the residence, only to find it fully engulfed in flames. The officers crawled on the floor of the first floor through heavy smoke and significant heat and after hearing sounds coming from the living room area found the female resident laying on a couch already in a semi-conscious state. Lt. Consolino and Corporal Brenza dragged the female from the couch to the area of the main doorway where Justice Police Officer Carmine Scardine grabbed the woman, picked her up and carried her outside to safety.
The victim was transported to the hospital where she remained for several days before making a full recovery. The residence was completely destroyed.
Lt. Consolino, Corporal Brenza and Police Officer Scardine are commended for their selfless acts of bravery and courage in the face of danger that resulted in the saving of the resident’s life.
James Wade Memorial Scholarship
Jesse Williams of Calumet City attending South Suburban College
Nominated by Criminal Justice Coordinator Dan Zajeski.
Kelly Daily of Hickory Hills attending Moraine Valley Community College
Nominated by MVCC Police Chief Pat O’Conner.
Brandy Petite of Richton Park attending Prairie State College Nominated by Criminal Justice Coordinator Ken O’Keefe.
Glenn Devries of Orland Park attending Governors State University
Nominated by Criminal Justice Chair Dr. James Coldren.
Four area college students were recently presented with scholarships by the South Suburban Association Chiefs of Police (SSACOP). The students Jesse Williams of Calumet City attending South Suburban College, Kelly Daily of Hickory Hills attending Moraine Valley Community College, Brandy Petite of Richton Park attending Prairie State College, Glenn Devries of Orland Park attending Governors State University received $500 scholarships to continue their formal education towards a degree in law enforcement or a related discipline.
The funds come from the association’s James Wade Memorial Scholarship Fund named after a late Tinley Park Police Chief. Chief Wade was president of SSACOP from 1991 to 1992 and was a strong proponent of training and general education for police officers. Ten years ago, after Chief Wade’s untimely death, the Association established the scholarship fund in his memory in order to aid qualified individuals who are furthering their education and anticipating the possibility of entering the law enforcement profession.
The South Suburban Association Chiefs of Police is comprised of police chiefs and police command officers from federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies from throughout the south and southwestern suburbs of Chicago.