Issue 1 June 2023 Illinois FOP State Lodge Helps Collinsville Members Lobby for Home Rule Retention We’re Fighting for You
If you want the member benefits of the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, you must be a member of the Illinois FOP State Lodge. Seems straightforward, right? Yet every year, many active duty law enforcement officers find out the hard way that they are NOT Illinois FOP State Lodge members, even though they thought they were. So, when they truly need the Illinois FOP’s Legal Defense Plan, or want to take advantage of the free college tuition or other membership benefits, they find that those doors are closed. The issue is simple: Being a member of the FOP Labor Council, a labor union, does not automatically make you a member of the Illinois FOP State Lodge, a fraternal organization. You MUST sign up separately to be a member of the Illinois FOP State Lodge. The FOP Labor Council has approximately 12,000 members, but only about 4,000 of those law enforcement officers, and support staff are also members of the Illinois FOP State Lodge. That means there are about 8,000 law enforcement professionals out there represented by the Labor Council who don’t have the protection and benefits of the Illinois FOP State Lodge. No Legal Defense Plan that is specifically designed to cover the law enforcement exposures, INCLUDING criminal charges, faced by lodge members, nationwide. No free tuition for your children. No direct voice in state legislation that impacts your career. No officer-to-officer confidential peer support. No access to Disaster Response when severe weather or flooding strikes. No annual scholarships awarded to your family members. No Nationwide support if as a member you get involved in a critical incident out of state, such as a retiree with HR 218 coverage, (Legal Defense). The Labor Council uses Illinois FOP State Lodge benefits to recruit new labor union members, as well they should, and during that process those recruits are advised that they need to become Illinois FOP State Lodge members in addition to carrying their union cards. But many labor union members forget to do so, and as the months and years pass they assume that FOP Labor Council membership is the same as Illinois FOP State Lodge membership. It is not. If you haven’t already, I implore you to become an Illinois FOP State Lodge member. Encourage your fellow officers to do the same. It will be “peace of mind” money well spent. d A Message from the President ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 1 ATTENTION ADVERTISERS If you are interested in placing advertisement in this newsletter Contact Jerry Lieb at jlieb@ilfop.org or 217-248-3790 Worker’s Compensation & Personal Injury Attorney 230 W Monroe St • Suite 2330 • Chicago, IL 60606 Office: 1-800-572-1136 • ridgedownes.com
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ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 3 There have been many changes made to the State Lodge Awards Program. In the past, nominations were received for the various categories and the committee selected a member from each category and made the awards presentation at the Biennial Conference. The new committee determined that we needed to present the awards as they occurred. We now utilize the many brave things and lives saved by our members to counter all the negative stories that are so popular with the media to make police officers appear as the offenders. The State Lodge has hired a Public Relations expert to prepare and release our stories on a statewide and local basis. To date, the State Lodge has presented one hundred and sixty-eight awards for Valor, Life Saving, and Meritorious Service. Along with the awards to our members, we have presented numerous “Blue Gold” awards which are presented to businesses who support the local or State FOP as submitted by our local lodges. The committee also established a “Back the Blue” for citizens that assist an officer in need and the “Chardy Lieb Memorial Award” for the significant others of our members who contribute to the State Lodge. Please submit your members for these awards, it not only recognizes their accomplishments but provides for a very positive public image of our profession. I think you would all agree that our positive contributions far outweigh the negative actions of so few. The applications are available online at www.ilfop. org or on the FOP app. The application describes the award criteria and the information needed. d The Importance of the State Lodge Awards Program By Jerry Lieb, Awards Committee Chair The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Starved Rock Lodge 338 was officially organized on November 22, and offers advocacy, support and fraternal benefits for active duty and retired law enforcement officers in the LaSalle and Bureau County areas. Starved Rock FOP Lodge 338 officers include Darin Crask, Earlville Police Department, President; Brian Zebron, LaSalle Police Department, Vice President; Kendra Wolford, Princeton Police Department, Secretary; Mark Razny, Seneca Police Department, Treasurer; and Tom Richardson, Earlville Police Department, Sergeant at Arms. Lodge 338 members include current and past officers from the LaSalle, Seneca, Utica, Princeton and Earlville police departments and personnel from other area departments are invited to join. Potential lodge members include law enforcement professionals, active or retired, from the LaSalle and Bureau county areas. This includes full and part time police officers, state and county correctional officers, conservation police officers, sworn telecommunications and dispatch personnel, court services officers, community service police officers, police chiefs, county sheriffs, and coroners. d Starved Rock Lodge 338 Welcomed
4 ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 The Illinois FOP State Lodge has established a new Peer Wellness program that provides round-the-clock, oneon-one crisis and mental health counseling services for law enforcement officers by fellow active or retired law enforcement officers across the state. The Illinois FOP State Lodge has paid for the training and certification of 12 Peer Wellness counselors who can now respond to calls for assistance. The FOP hopes to expand the program in the future and welcomes additional Peer Wellness applicants. The inaugural Peer Wellness program was started by FOP State Lodge Chairman of the Board Trustees Terry Trueblood, Jennifer Ward from DOC Lodge 263 and by Tom Greenhalgh who taught the course. Terry Trueblood and Jennifer Ward oversaw the recruitment, Tom Greenhalgh handled the training and certification of the first 12 crisis counselor trainees. When developing the program they stressed confidentiality, privacy rights, and real-world law enforcement experience for the peer counselors. Active duty and retired law enforcement officers who are interested in becoming Peer Wellness counselors must commit to at least three years’ service, be available 24 hours per day, and be able to respond to at least 50 percent of the calls for assistance. A Peer Wellness responder application is available at www.ilfop.org. Call (866) 535-1078, 24 hours a day, to reach Illinois FOP State Lodge crisis support, which can put you in touch with a Peer Wellness responder in your area. d FOP State Lodge Establishes Peer Wellness Program to Train Officers to Help Fellow Officers Worker’s Compensation & Personal Injury Attorney 4234 Meridian Parkway • Suite 134 • Aurora, IL 60504 Office: 630-585-2320 • jjohnson@woodrufflawyers.com • woodrufflawyers.com
The Illinois FOP State Lodge presented numerous awards during 2022 to recognize law enforcement professionals and supporters who went above and beyond the call of duty. Numerous FOP Awards Presented During 2022 January 26 – Champaign Police Officers Jeff Creel and John Wright Champaign Police Officer Jeff Creel received the FOP’s Valor Award and Officer John Wright received the Fraternalism Award. Champaign Police Officers Chris Oberheim and his partner Jeff Creel responded to a domestic abuse call on May 19, 2021 and were fired upon by the suspect, who killed Oberheim and severely wounded Creel. Officer Creel was shot twice in the chest and once in the arm but still managed to return fire as he was trying to save Oberheim. The suspect also died during the exchange of gunfire. The FOP Valor Award was presented to Creel for his heroic actions and high degree of courage under fire. The FOP Fraternalism Award was presented to FOP Illini Lodge 17 President and University of Illinois Police Officer John Wright for his support of fellow police officers immediately following the deadly May 19 shooting. Upon hearing of the incident Officer Wright immediately took the day off without pay and at his own expense delivered coffee and breakfast to every agency that took part in the shooting investigation. Wright knew that during difficult times such as these the agencies can’t spare anyone to take care of their own personnel. February 19 – Canton Police Officers Jarrod Smith, Nate Atkins and Cody Johnson Life Saving Awards – Canton Police Officers Jarrod Smith and Nate Atkins. On October 22, 2020 Canton Police Officers Jarrod Smith and Nate Atkins responded to an address on N. Main in Canton for an accidental firearm discharge that left an occupant of the residence with a severe gunshot wound to his upper leg. Officers Smith and Atkins worked as a team to apply two tourniquets to the victim’s leg to control the severe bleeding prior to the arrival of rescue personnel. The victim was transported to an area hospital, had emergency surgery, and made a full recovery from his injury. The quick response by Officers Smith and Atkins using their first aid training is credited with saving the victim’s life. Life Saving Awards – Canton Police Officers Cody Johnson and Jarrod Smith. On March 4, 2021 Canton Police Officers Cody Johnson and Jarrod Smith responded to an apartment where a 12-year-old juvenile had attempted suicide by hanging. Upon arrival, the officers found the child’s father attempting to perform CPR on the victim, but the victim was unresponsive. Officers Johnson and Smith opened the victim’s airway, took over CPR and continued life saving measures until emergency medical services personnel arrived on scene. The victim survived and has physically recovered from the incident. The quick response by Officers Johnson and Smith using their CPR training is credited with saving the juvenile’s life. ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 5 ATTENTION ADVERTISERS If you are interested in placing advertisement in this newsletter - Contact Jerry Lieb at jlieb@ilfop.org or 217-248-3790
April 15 – Richland County Sheriff ’s Deputy Kevin McCormick Richland County Sheriff ’s Deputy Kevin McCormick was presented with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Life Saving Award for his on-duty actions involving the rescue of an elderly man who had fallen overboard while boating on East Fork Lake near Olney. A panicked woman called 911 the morning of September 9, 2021 to report that her husband had fallen overboard while boating on East Fork Lake. Although the man was wearing a life jacket, he was still having difficulty holding his head above water and his wife was unable to pull him back into the boat. Deputy McCormick was the first emergency responder to arrive on the scene. By that time another boat had reached the man in distress, but the people in the second boat were also unable to get the man out of the water. McCormick immediately removed his duty gear and swam to assist the elderly man, gained his confidence, and was able to help the man safely to the shoreline. April 24 – Rockdale citizens Brock Kenney and Angela Kenney On December 8, 2021 Rockdale Police Officer Robert Baikie pulled over the driver of a suspected stolen car who had fled, finally stopping him in the driveway of a private residence. When Officer Baikie tried to make the arrest the suspect attacked Baikie, striking him repeatedly in the head. As the suspect tried to flee, Brock Kenney, a private citizen who saw what was occurring, ran barefoot out of his house and blocked the suspect’s path, allowing Officer Baikie to get ahold of the suspect. Baikie and Kenney were able to get the suspect into custody following another struggle in which Baikie was struck several more times. Brock’s mother, Angela Kenney, came out of the residence during the incident armed with a baseball bat and ready to defend her son and the officer if necessary. Brock and Angela Kenney each received the FOP’s Back the Blue Award for their actions that day, a recognition given to citizens who show extraordinary support for local law enforcement. Officer Baikie received the FOP Valor Award for arresting the suspect in spite of being injured by the much larger man who was under the influence of narcotics and had only recently been released from prison. Richland County Award Presentation: left to right FOP Awards Chairman Jery Lieb, Deputy Kevin McCormick, Labor Council Field Representative Ryan Olier Medal of Valor recipient Rob Baikie (center), Back the Blue Award recipients Brock Kenney (left) and Angela Kenney (right) 6 ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023
May 6 – Fulton County Sheriff ’s Deputy Vincent Porcaro and Farmington Police Officer Cody Rice Life Saving Awards were presented to a Fulton County Sheriff ’s Deputy and a Farmington Police Officer to recognize their on-duty actions that saved two seriously wounded area residents. On November 2, 2021 Fulton County Sheriff ’s Deputy Vincent Porcaro responded to a 911 call to a rural Farmington residence where a domestic dispute had occurred earlier in the evening. Porcaro found one subject with multiple, life-threatening gunshot wounds and another with several life-threatening stab wounds. Farmington Police Officer Cody Rice arrived soon thereafter, and the two officers immediately began emergency first-aid procedures on both subjects to slow down the blood loss and keep both people alive until Fulton County Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived. The officers’ actions are credited with saving the lives of the two residents, both of whom have recovered. June 8 – Chapin Police Chief Steven Helmich, Pike County Sheriff ’s Deputies Steve Lowry and Skylar Lambeth, and Brown County Sheriff ’s Deputy Rusty Richard Those receiving FOP Valor Awards included Chapin Police Chief Steven Helmich, who is also a part-time South Jacksonville Police officer; Pike County Sheriff ’s Deputy Steve Lowry, who is also a part-time Meredosia Police officer; Pike County Sheriff ’s Deputy Skylar Lambeth; and Brown County Sheriff ’s Deputy Rusty Richard. Pike County Sheriff ’s Deputy Dan Williams received the FOP Life Saving Award. On March 26, Meredosia police pulled over a suspect who then fled, leading officers from several jurisdictions on a high-speed chase through Morgan, Pike and Brown Counties. The suspect crashed his car in Brown County during the pursuit, and as officers approached the vehicle he opened fire, starting a gun battle with officers during which Helmich was critically wounded. Officers Lowry, Richard and Lambeth were able to subdue the suspect, and then immediately rendered emergency assistance to Helmich. Deputy Williams arrived on scene with a field tourniquet and applied it to Helmich, which is credited with helping to save Helmich’s life. August 3 – Collinsville Police Officers Timothy Severine, Steven Pyrdeck and Matthew Schneider; telecommunicators Lauren Bettorf and Emma Valleroy The Illinois FOP Valor Award was presented to Collinsville Police Officers Timothy Severine, Steven Pyrdeck and Matthew Schneider. All three officers responded to a March 2, 2022 call where an armed man had kicked in the door of his estranged wife’s residence and was holding several residents at gunpoint. The officers ordered the man to surrender, but he came out onto the porch using his estranged wife as a shield and began firing at the officers. The officers returned fire and killed the suspect without injuring anyone else, and then immediately turned their attention to the well-being of all who were being threatened by the gunman during the incident. Two telecommunicators who helped to coordinate the emergency response to the March 2 incident received Illinois FOP Meritorious Service Awards for their actions that day. Lauren Bettorf and Emma Valleroy were honored for their dedication and professionalism during what was a very tense and fast-changing situation. August 3 – Collinsville Police Officers Dylan Madron and Jose Cerna; telecommunicators Marissa Lovatto and Tiarra McAlister The Illinois FOP presented several Collinsville first responders with awards for their actions on February 12, 2022 in which they rescued a woman who was trapped in a rapidly sinking car. A woman’s car went out of control that day and ended up in a water-filled retention pond, where the car quickly began to fill up with water. Collinsville Police Officers Dylan Madron and Jose Cerna responded to the scene, and were joined by Collinsville Firefighter Jason Warner, where they went into the water and worked together to free the woman as the vehicle kept sinking deeper into the pond. The three men each received the FOP’s Life Saving Awards for their actions. Two emergency telecommunicators were given FOP Meritorious Service Awards for their roles in calmly, efficiently and quickly sending the proper emergency response units and equipment to the scene, which greatly contributed to the successful life-saving efforts on that ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 7
day. The telecommunicators who received awards include Marissa Lovatto and Tiarra McAlister, August 4 – Donald “Ike Hackett, retired Fulton County Sheriff ’s Department Sergeant Donald “Ike” Hackett was presented with the FOP Fraternalism Award, which recognizes an FOP member whose leadership has inspired others and brought positive change to the organization. Hackett is a retired Fulton County Sheriff ’s Department sergeant. He determined that a voice was needed for the active-duty police officers and sheriff ’s deputies in the region during a time of attacks on the law enforcement profession. Hackett organized several retired officers and was instrumental in forming the Spoon River Valley FOP Lodge 427. The lodge began with 29 members and has grown to more than 200 members in just a year and a half. Lodge 427 supports local citizen organizations, members in distress, and provides Christmas dinners to all law enforcement members from more than 30 area departments. August 4 – Jerry Lieb, long-time Fraternal Order of Police member Jacksonville resident Jerry Lieb received the Bill Mehrtens Lifetime Achievement Award. Lieb helped to charter an FOP fraternal lodge at the Morgan County Sheriff ’s Department in 1982 and was the lodge president from 1983 until he retired and left the department in 1990. When state legislation was passed in 1986 that gave police officers collective bargaining rights, Lieb began a more than 32-year career with the state’s largest police labor union, the FOP Labor Council, representing active duty officers throughout the state. Lieb became a member of the Jacksonville Police Dept FOP Lodge in 1990 and served many years as both vice-president and president of that Lodge. He is vice chairman of the Illinois FOP State Lodge board of trustees. Lieb helped to develop the Illinois FOP State Lodge Disaster Response Unit, a trailer outfitted with emergency supplies that can be sent to assist officers and their neighbors who are hit with natural or man-made disasters. Lieb also assists with the Illinois FOP State Lodge’s Project Blue Life, a police shooting situation simulator for civilians that graphically demonstrates the split-second, shoot-don’t shoot scenarios that police officers can face every day. Lieb was elected chairman of the Illinois FOP Foundation, which raises tax deductible funds to help the families of officers who die in the line of duty. He is also the chairman of the Illinois FOP State Lodge Award Committee that recognizes officers across the state for extraordinary valor, life-saving and meritorious actions. The Illinois FOP Chardy Lieb Memorial Award, named in memory of Lieb’s wife of 35 years who died of cancer in 2016, is presented to an FOP member’s spouse for their active and dedicated support to the organization. August 4 – John Dineen, founding member of FOP State Lodge John Dineen received the Bill Mehrtens Lifetime Achievement Award. Dineen was a Chicago police officer and was a founding member of the Illinois FOP State Lodge in 1963. Dineen served terms as Chicago FOP Lodge 7 President, National FOP President, long-time Chairman of the FOP National Legal Defense Fund, and many years of service on the Illinois FOP State Lodge Board of Trustees. August 4 – John Catanzara, President of Chicago FOP Lodge 7 Chicago FOP Lodge 7 President John Catanzara received the Illinois FOP President’s Award for his steadfast, selfless leadership to successfully guide the largest FOP Lodge in the nation through some of the most difficult and extraordinary times in history. 8 ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023
August 4 – Terry and Ruth Trueblood, long-time service for FOP State Lodge Receive Awards Terry Trueblood, the President of the Illinois Secretary of State Police FOP Lodge 95, received the FOP President’s Award. Terry’s wife, Ruthann Trueblood, received the Chardy Lieb Memorial Award. Terry Trueblood received the award for his many years of steadfast and loyal service to the Illinois FOP, always willing to step up, shoulder the most difficult tasks, and see them through to a successful outcome. Ruth Trueblood has been a long-time active supporter of Secretary of State Police FOP Lodge 95. She also helped to organize the new FOP State Lodge Auxiliary and serves as the Auxiliary’s vice president. August 9 – Marion Police Officer Sam Ward Marion Police Officer Sam Ward was presented with the Illinois (FOP) Life Saving Award for his on-duty actions involving the resuscitation of a seven-year-old child who had stopped breathing. On May 19, 2022 Officer Ward was the first to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency where a seven-year-old child was found to be unresponsive, had stopped breathing, and was turning blue. Officer Ward immediately began to administer CPR, restored breathing, and obtained a pulse. Because of Ward’s efforts the child’s condition stabilized upon arrival at a local emergency room. August 18 – Knox County Sheriff ’s Deputy Nicholas Weist, FOP Spoon River Lodge # 427 Chaplain Jason Gilmore Numerous awards were presented to Galesburg area individuals and organizations that stepped up following the April 29 death of Knox County Sheriff ’s Deputy Nicholas Weist, and Weist himself was honored posthumously with two awards. Deputy Nicholas Weist received both the FOP Valor and Life Saving Awards for his actions on April 29, 2022. Weist was attempting to stop a gun-wielding suspect who was fleeing from and firing at pursuing officers. Weist deployed his spike strips to stop the suspect’s vehicle, but after hitting the spike strips, that vehicle struck and killed Weist. The vehicle was disabled because of Weist’s actions and the suspect was caught after a brief foot pursuit. Weist’s actions to stop the high-speed pursuit prevented the suspect from injuring or killing others. Lodge 427 Chaplain Jason Gilmore received the FOP Meritorious Service Award to recognize the outstanding peer support and grief counseling he provided to officers and family members following Weist’s death. ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 9 Important Links: 1) Social Media accounts: https://twitter.com/IllinoisFOP https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisFraternalOrderofPolice https://www.ilfop.org/ 2) APP links: PlayStore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ilfop.app Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/illinois-fop/id1579094722 3) Donating to the PAC: https://www.ilfop.org/pac/ 4) FOP Foundation: https://www.ilfopfoundation.org
December 8 – Massac County Sheriff ’s Deputy Summer Dixon and Illinois Department of Transportation employee Steve Miller Massac County Sheriff ’s Deputy Summer Dixon responded to a May 23 call concerning a man who was having a medical emergency on an Interstate 24 overpass. When Dixon reached the scene and tried to speak to the man, he suddenly tried to jump over the bridge railing. Deputy Dixon and IDOT employee Steve Miller immediately grabbed the man and pulled him back over the railing to safety. The man was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Deputy Dixon received the FOP’s Life Saving Award for her actions that day. IDOT employee Miller received the FOP’s Back the Blue Award, the highest honor a civilian can receive for assisting a law enforcement officer. December 10 – Morgan County Sheriff ’s Deputy Derek Suttles and Jacksonville Police Officer Andrew Haas On October 27 Morgan County Sheriff ’s Deputy Derek Suttles had to perform a forced crash maneuver on an unresponsive motorist’s vehicle that was careening out of control down a Jacksonville area road. Suttles had to forcibly enter the locked vehicle to pull the motorist out, then Jacksonville Police Officer Andrew Haas performed life-saving CPR on the driver. The driver was taken to an area hospital and is recovering from what doctors termed a “widow-maker” heart attack. In two separate traffic stop incidents, Deputy Suttles seized $578,530 in alleged illegal drug money in early November and 30 pounds of illegal marijuana worth $75,000 in mid November. The seizures occurred in the Jacksonville area. Suttles and Haas each received the FOP Life Saving Award for stopping the runaway car and restoring the driver’s heartbeat. Suttles received two FOP Meritorious Service Awards for his two large drug-related seizures. December 12 – Peoria Police Sergeant Shawn Curry Peoria Police Sergeant Shawn Curry received the FOP Valor Award for protecting the lives of fellow officers by placing his squad car between the officers and an active shooter. Peoria police officers responded to a gunshot detection device in the 800 block of McBean Street just after 10 p.m. on October 3 where they located a subject with a firearm. A gun battle ensued between three officers and the subject. Sergeant Curry arrived at the scene, observed the Massac County Awards Photo left to right: FOP Awards Chairman Jerry Lieb, Sheriff Chad Kaylor , Deputy Summer Dixon, IDOT worker Steve Miller, FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood 10 ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023
firefight, and immediately placed his squad car between the subject and the officers, drawing the subject’s fire. With the subject’s attention diverted, the officers were then able to gain the upper hand. The subject was killed and Sergeant Curry’s car sustained two bullet holes, but no officers were injured during the incident. December 12 – Fulton County Sheriff ’s Deputy Tyler Willdrick, Sergeant Nick Blakey, telecommunicator Megan Hickle On July 25, 2022 Fulton County Sheriff ’s Deputy Tyler Willdrick and Sergeant Nick Blakey were advised of a possibly armed fugitive wanted for domestic violence who was traveling to Vermont, Illinois. Deputy Willdrick located the suspect’s vehicle, starting a slow speed pursuit that ended when the vehicle crashed. The suspect left the vehicle, disregarded all police commands, and as he began to walk away, pointed a gun at Deputy Willdrick and Sergeant Blakey. Both officers shot the suspect, who died at the scene. Both officers received the FOP Valor Award for their actions that evening. Fulton County Telecommunicator Megan Hickle was the dispatcher on duty the night of the shooting. Hickle calmly and efficiently directed all responding units to the scene, summoned emergency medical services once the shooting occurred, and stayed on duty after her shift ended to ensure the incident was properly handled. Hickle received the FOP Meritorious Service Award for her actions that evening. December 13 – Bensenville Police Officers Steven Kotlewski, Kristian Casillas, Patrick Scanlan, and Michael Ptak Four Bensenville Police officers received Valor Awards for their on-duty actions during an incident where one of the officers was critically wounded after being shot nine times by an armed suspect. Those receiving FOP Valor Awards were Bensenville Police officers Steven Kotlewski, Kristian Casillas, Patrick Scanlan and Michael Ptak. On November 6, 2021 Bensenville Police officers were sent to a residence to handle a domestic disturbance call. Officer Kotlewski arrived on the scene first and was ambushed by a suspect who shot Kotlewski nine times. Officer Casillas quickly moved Kotlewski to safety, assisted in tending to his wounds, and moved to the second floor of the residence to engage the suspect. Officer Scanlan assisted the wounded officer as Casillas moved the suspect’s teenage daughter to safety. Officer Ptak transported Kotlewski to waiting emergency medical personnel shortly before the suspect surrendered to Casillas and was taken into custody. Kotlewski was treated for nine gunshot wounds and may have died from his injuries if not for the quick reactions of his fellow officers. He has not yet returned to active duty. Blue and Gold Awards – Presented to individuals, organizations and businesses for their ongoing support of the FOP and the law enforcement members the organization represents. Star Metal Art in Farmington, owned by George and Sue Starcevich, has manufactured 14 Memorial Badge Wall mounts for police departments across the state and one in Texas that have lost an officer in the line of duty over the past 12 months. The memorials have been made for the Chicago, Champaign and Bradley Police Departments, Wayne County Sheriff ’s Department, and the Harris County, Texas Sheriff ’s Office. Steve Butler of Country Financial in Astoria has been a long-time supporter of law enforcement in Fulton County. Among other things, Butler underwrites the cost of the Spoon River Valley FOP Lodge 427 Golf Outing that raises scholarship funds for the children of lodge members. The Blue and Gold Award recognizes nonmember organizations that have shown great generosity and support to the FOP. John Gordon is with the Chicago Police Credit Union and has created a police memorial in the name of his brother, Chicago Police Officer Michael Patrick Gordon, who was killed in the line of duty on August 8, 2004. Gordon has provided payments to families of slain officers and has assisted the Illinois FOP State Lodge in creating the FOP Foundation, which also helps officers and their families who are facing crises. Green Toyota of Springfield and general manager Mylas Copeland were recognized for their support of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Disaster Response Unit ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 11
and the business’ commitment to Illinois FOP State Lodge members. 709 Liquors in Springfield and owner Gerry Gardiner were recognized for their long-time and generous support of the Illinois FOP Foundation and for their support of Illinois FOP State Lodge members and events. Mission BBQ’s Peoria and Springfield restaurants were recognized for providing meals to the families and fellow officers of two police officers who were recently shot while on duty. The Peoria Mission BBQ restaurant assisted after the murder of Knox County Sheriff ’s Deputy Nick Weist, and the Springfield Mission BBQ restaurant provided meals to the South Jacksonville Police and the family of Officer Steve Helmich after he was critically wounded by gunfire. Mission BBQ also routinely supports the efforts and events of FOP Spoon River Valley Lodge 427. Springfield Armory, Inc. was recognized for being a long-time supporter of the FOP State Lodge and FOP lodges in the Quad Cities area, donating time and time again to support the men and women of law enforcement. Military Memories and More, Knoxville. Owner Ryan Scalf shut down his day-to-day operations to produce all memorial items for the Knox County Sheriff ’s Department, Fraternal Order of Police and the Nicholas Weist family. Pristine Clean Detailing, Galesburg. Owner Jalen Harris stayed after business hours to ensure that Deputy Weist’s squad car was detailed and ready for the memorial the next morning. Cooks & Company Floral of Galesburg. Cooks made the floral arrangement for Deputy Weist’s squad car on short notice so it would be ready for the memorial the next morning. Sign Depot Express of Galesburg. Sign Depot replaced the missing stripes on Deputy Weist’s squad car on short notice allowing the vehicle to be detailed and ready for the memorial the next morning. Cedar Creek Hall. Cedar Creek’s Patti Wedell closed the banquet hall during Weist’s funeral and provided the hall to the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office at no expense after the funeral for a safe place for everyone to gather. Galesburg School District # 205, Superintendent Dr. John Asplund. The Superintendent worked with C.O.P.S. and the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office to coordinate the use of the Galesburg High School for Weist’s funeral. Tres Café of Galesburg. Owner Shirley Chu organized a fundraiser on behalf of the Weist family which raised almost $18,000. Galesburg Nissan Dealership. The business without hesitation provided support vehicles to the Dennison Funeral Home in Viola to assist in the transport of the Weist family during the visitation and funeral. St. Mary’s Hospital of Galesburg provided the Life Flight Helicopter to do a flyover at Weist’s funeral and volunteered to provide the food for Knox County Sheriff ’s personnel at Galesburg High School prior to and during the funeral. Galesburg Hospital Ambulance Service provided support to the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office during the April 29 incident and during the escort of Weist from the morgue to the funeral home. The service also used their ambulances to line the streets in honor of Weist. d 12 ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023
The Illinois FOP State Lodge brought its Disaster Response Unit to Collinsville last fall to support the law enforcement officers, firefighters, city workers and their supporters who canvassed the community to encourage residents to retain Home Rule status in the General Election. Collinsville’s population dipped to just below 25,000 in the 2020 census, which requires residents to vote on whether they should retain Home Rule status. Without the commercial tax levying authority granted by Home Rule, Collinsville could lose some major revenue sources and be forced to make some difficult financial decisions. “City services, including the police, fire and public works departments, would likely have to absorb the resulting budget cuts through layoffs, attrition and less equipment money,” said Collinsville FOP Lodge 103 President Jay Edwards. “We are asking residents to vote for public safety on Tuesday. We don’t want a short-sighted discussion on taxes to cloud this issue - this is about fighting crime, putting out fires and fixing city streets. It’s about keeping Collinsville a great place to call home.” d Illinois FOP State Lodge Helps Collinsville Members Lobby for Home Rule Retention ILLINOIS FOP JOURNAL ■ ISSUE 1 ■ JUNE 2023 13 The Illinois FOP State Lodge conducted a member survey by email and social media in early May. Although only 285 members responded to the survey, the results indicate what members know about and want from the State Lodge. The Illinois FOP State Lodge will use the survey to better serve the organization’s members, and responses to the survey’s findings will be posted in this quarterly newsletter. In fact, in one of the survey questions, members were asked if they were interested in a regular newsletter from the State Lodge, and 237 of the 285 respondents indicated “yes.” This newsletter is a response to that survey finding. Other selected survey questions and responses include: Do you use the IL FOP State Lodge website to get information? Yes 150, No 135. Do you use the IL FOP State Lodge APP? Yes 92, No 193. Did you know the IL FOP State Lodge has benefits for its members? Yes 198, No 87. Did you know the IL FOP State Lodge has a 501-C3 Foundation for IL FOP officers? Yes 188, No 97. Did you know the IL FOP State Lodge has a Political Action Committee (PAC)? Yes 189, No 96. Do you know that IL FOP State Lodge has training for Local Lodge Leaders? Yes 161, No 124. Have you attended an IL FOP State Lodge Conference? Yes: 77, No 208. In the follow up question, those responding “no” were asked why they did not attend and one responded, “Did not know I was able to attend thought only elected members could go.” The survey also included a section for comments, and based on several of the comments members have some confusion about the role and services offered by the Illinois FOP State Lodge versus the role and services provided by the FOP Labor Council. To address those survey comments, those distinctions between the Illinois FOP State Lodge and the FOP Labor Council will be highlighted elsewhere in this newsletter edition. d Survey Indicates What Members Want From Fop State Lodge