Chicago Politics

64th CPD Annual Recognition Ceremony 5.6.25

Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the 64th CPD Annual recognition ceremony

Transcript

0:05 I am pleased to welcome you to the Chicago Police Department's 64th Annual Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon. Today we recognize our own for their hard work, courage, and dedication. We will always be grateful for their sacrifices made by the members of the Chicago Police Department. This annual event showcases the extraordinary men and women who make this department and this city stronger every day. Now, if you would please rise as the Chicago Police Department's honor guard, post the colors, and remain standing as police officer Kenyatta Gaines performs the national anthem.

3:23 At this time, we would like to pay tribute to both the Chicago Fire Department

4:27 and Chicago Police Officers we lost this past year. Every year, members of the law enforcement community are taken from us too soon. In 2024, the Chicago Police Department lost Police Officers Luis Huesca, Police Officer James Crawley, and Police Officer Enrique Martinez in the line of duty. Today also marks the two-year anniversary of the line of duty death of Officer Police Officer Ariana Preston. I would like to take a special moment to honor their sacrifice.

5:00 We will never forget the sacrifice of all members of the public safety community who we've lost too soon. Please join me in taking a moment as we play our memorial video honoring the members we lost in 2024.

7:33 Please remain standing as Rabbi Moshe Wolfe of the Chicago Police Chaplains Unit leads us in prayer for our lost members. And remain standing for the playing of taps by Detective Richard Robles. Let us pray. Dear God, as we honor and memorialize our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the line of duty, we are mindful of the 606 names that are rest in the wall of Memorial Park.

8:14 We pray for the families of these honored heroes. We might have lost a friend or a partner, but they lost a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, a son, a daughter. We thank these families for sharing their loved ones with us. We pray, Lord, please strengthen them in trying times. And may we always be that source of strength and comfort to these families. and even though these officers are gone from us physically the way they live their life

8:45 will be forever etched in our hearts please Lord bless us all and always keep us safe and let us say amen

9:58 Please be seated.

11:43 This program is about recognizing the Chicago police officers who have distinguished themselves with acts of bravery and heroism. It is a proud day for both the Chicago Police Department and the people of our great city.

12:18 The department thanks all of the companies, organizations, and individuals who have helped make this ceremony possible. We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsor, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. We are also sincerely thankful for the many donors and contributors listed in our program. Here to offer the invocation is Rabbi Moshe Wolfe. Good morning. Thanks to each and every one of you for being here.

12:55 As we have heard said, they say behind every successful man is a surprised mother-in-law. But really what that means is behind every successful man is a spouse, a family that gives their love and their support. And as I look around the room, the Chicago Police Department couldn't do what they do without the love and support of all the friends and supporters.

13:28 So I want to thank each and every one of you being here. And before I continue, I think it's only appropriate, reach out to the person next to you, give them a big pat on the back, because that's what each one of you deserves. But ladies and gentlemen, I'm especially honored here today,

14:05 because for those who are at the St. Jude's Parade on Sunday, and thanks to our superintendent for bringing back the parade to Michigan Avenue, You couldn't help but just be overwhelmed by the crowds, by the pride, by our officers, and also by all those who came out to support us. So thanks to each and every one of you for being there. But there was one moment in the parade, among many others, that really caught my heart. I'm hoping Graphic Arts has it on video.

14:36 And that was... Our chief, Hine, who was standing on the corner of Michigan and Superior, and this man comes over to him, no shirt, no shoes, unkempt. He was about 45, but he looked like he was 90. And he says, sir, can you spare some change? And our chief, with the big heart that he has, takes out a $20 bill, and he gives it to the guy. And he looks at him and he says, well, you're not going to spend it on booze, are you? The guy says, well, I don't drink.

15:07 He says, well, you're not going to spend it on smokes, are you? The guy says, I don't smoke. He says, well, you're not going to buy lottery tickets, are you? The guy says, I don't gamble. And the chief looks him square in the eye and he says, will you come home with me? And the guy says, why do you want me to come home with you? And the chief says, because I want my wife to see what happens to a man who doesn't smoke, drink and gamble. True story.

15:38 I bring you heartfelt regards and praise from Father Dan Brandt. who couldn't be here today, who injured his hip at ballet lessons. So he asked, please, that I should pass along his blessings. But I need to pass. Hey, boss, I got one second. I got to share with them a story about Father Brandt. This is so beautiful. Father Brandt was giving a sermon about two months ago on living the straight and narrow and not giving in to any temptation.

16:09 And as somebody walks through the path of life, don't sway right, don't sway left, just keep your eyes straight ahead. And he finishes off the sermon and saying, you know, one hour of guilt, I'm sorry, one hour of sin is not worth a lifetime of guilt. And the congregation is quiet, and from the back of the church, this cop raises his hand and says, Hey, Father, how do you get it to last for an hour?

16:47 Now you know I don't make up stories like that So next time you see Father Brand Let us pray Boy, they're going to smack me for that one Let us pray Dear God, as we open up this recognition ceremony We thank you for the privilege of being able to gather here In the spirit of friendship, brotherhood and camaraderie

17:17 We ask you special blessings about the honored heroes Who we're going to be honored here this morning Thank you for the dedication and devotion to their profession and to their calling and to our city. Lord, please bless this food that we are about to partake of that gives us the strength to serve you and do your will. And we say a special prayer for our brothers and sisters that are presently working the streets. Please, Lord, bring them home safely to their loved ones at the end of the Torah duty. And let us say, Amen.

17:49 Let's play ball. You ready? I would like to welcome our mistress of ceremony. Miriam Sobe. She is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Chicago Police

18:20 Department. She has spent nearly two decades telling stories for print, broadcast, and digital mediums. Miriam is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Speech Communications, clearly not my major, and a Master's of Science degree in journalism. Miriam started her career with WILL Radio in Urbana-Champaign and then moved on to the multiple news outlets in Chicago, including WBEZ, the Illinois Radio Network,

18:55 and the WBBM News Radio. Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department as public relations coordinator, Miriam was the host and executive producer for All In, a daily live talk show that aired on WFYI in Indianapolis. While she has had an extensive career in traditional media, she has also kept up with the digital media landscape through innovative projects. Through online content creation, Miriam built an audience of nearly one million across social media platforms.

19:28 She is also a performing artist and has connected with audiences of all backgrounds through her performance work. She wrote and starred in Headscarf. Above Water, a multi-dimensional one-woman show that sold out its two-week run at Judy's Beat Lounge at Second City. She has also performed at various festivals, including NBC's Second City Breakout Festival, Detroit Women's Comedy Festival, Burbank Comedy Festival, Chicago Sketch Fest,

19:59 Under the Gun, Flappers, and the Comedy Clubhouse. The Chicago Police Department is proud to have her as this year's Mistress of Ceremonies. Ladies and gentlemen, our Mistress of Ceremonies, Public Relations Coordinator for the Chicago Police Department, Miriam Sobe. Thank you, First Deputy Superintendent Yolanda Talley. That was a long bio, and that was only half. But anyway, thank you to all of you for

20:31 joining us here today. The special officers we honor this afternoon are, of course, the most important part of this program. But we also know that we can't hold you here on an empty stomach. So as you enjoy your meal, we have a special viewing for you of our tribute video showcasing the noble history of the Chicago Police Department. Please enjoy.

1:01:25 Read this. Okay, okay.

1:02:04 All right, can we have everyone's attention, please? We'll be getting started momentarily. Wow, I should do this more often. I got you all really quiet.

1:03:04 And now if we can have your undivided attention, I'd like to introduce the members of the dais who are on stage to congratulate the award recipients. From my far left to right, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Larry Snelling. Mayor of the City of Chicago, Brandon Johnson. First Deputy Superintendent, Yolanda Talley

1:03:37 Chief of the Bureau of Patrol, John Hine Chief of the Bureau of Detectives, Antoinette Ersetti Chief of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, Dwayne DeVries Chief of the Office of the Bureau of Detectives, Antoinette Ersetti

1:04:08 of Constitutional Policing and Reform, Angel Navalas, Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Internal Affairs, Tracy Walker, Executive Director of the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform, Allison Clark Henson, and from the Chaplain Unit, Rabbi Moshe Wolf.

1:04:43 Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to introduce Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. Good afternoon. Oh, come on, we can do better than that. Good afternoon. Excellent. First of all, I'm proud to see how full this room is.

1:05:13 You know, everyone here, our officers who do such a great job out there, and the support that I'm feeling in this room right now for our officers, it's just, it's magnificent. So I want to thank everyone who's here. Now, before I get started, Rabbi Moshe Wolf, he happened to walk by my table when he left the stage,

1:05:46 and he leaned over to me and he says, hey, boss, do I still have a job? And I said, well, I'll have someone help you with the application for unemployment. So, no, no, no, we appreciate Rabbi Moshe Wolf and everything that he does. our honor guard and, you know, Kenyatta Gaines always singing the national anthem. Just a great job for them. So let's just give it up for them.

1:06:18 Listen, before I begin, I just want to acknowledge the two-year anniversary since we lost Officer Arianna Preston and, you know, her mother, Dionne, her sister here, and to the whole Preston Moon family just showing great resilience over these past two years, just showing up to everything, showing support to the other Gold Star families, and I just want to say thank you and thank you for being here

1:06:58 Over this year, we've lost or at least 2024, we lost three officers Officer Luis Huesca, Officer Enrique Martinez and Officer James Crowley. What I can tell you about all of these families, and if you're not familiar with Officer James Crowley, he was catastrophically injured years ago. And for close to 40 years, his sister Beth Carter took care of him

1:07:32 until he eventually passed in 2024. just an amazing soldier for her brother and taking care of him to the Huesca and the Martinez family those two officers who we lost tragically in 2024

1:08:03 just nothing but strength in those families I can tell you right now the suffering that they've had to deal with we cannot move forward until we acknowledge the level of pain that these families have had to endure but at the same time we've gained family members here at CPD and that is the family members of our fallen we are a family we stand with you because we know that you stood with us

1:08:36 and to every family member here, every supporter We know that when these officers get up and they go to work, they leave home. Not only do they not know, but as family members, you never know if they're going to return home. That's the kind of job this is. Yet these officers get up. They go back and they do it again and again, knowing the risk, the risk to life, not going back home to your families so that other families can be safe in this city.

1:09:15 It's amazing work. It's an amazing job. It's an amazing profession. And it's an amazing calling. Our officers do whatever they can to support this city, to keep it safe. They step up to the challenge. They're prepared when they go out to the street. And they're prepared to protect you and everyone in this city. Regardless of where you are, in all 77 neighborhoods, our officers show up every single day to get that work done.

1:09:52 But as I look around, I see that there are other agencies here. And we know that you do the same for your communities and in your jurisdictions. And I'd also like to thank you for being here. To all of our families, to all of our families, thank you. Thank you for the support that you show officers every day.

1:10:23 You know, back in the day when I worked in the academy and I was a physical skills, defensive tactics instructor, I know I used to put it on the recruits. They had it coming, right? They understood that it wasn't without a purpose. They would go home probably sore. Sometimes they may have lost a little skin. I'm sure I've heard somebody probably lost some of their skin.

1:10:57 But what was it all for? It was to prepare them for what they were going to see. See, they had to develop some calluses in that academy. so that when they got out to the street, the things that they were going to see, they were prepared for. They needed to be ready when they hit the streets because you don't want the first time that you lose a little skin to be in a real-life situation. You want to be prepared for that. You want to have some muscle memory for that.

1:11:28 And this is what our officers are developing every single day. so when we push them when they go home sore when they go home a little in pain it's because we cared about them we cared enough to put them through that pain so that it's not the first time they see it when they're in the field so that they're prepared and what i will tell you is this there are some things here that we have to acknowledge 2020. Our officers went through it. COVID, civil unrest. They saw some of the nastiest things

1:12:06 that any human being could endure, the things that were said to them. I was there. Later on, people referred to the events of that year and that summer as protests peaceful protests no we saw a lot of rioting looting burning of cars physical attacks on police officers we have not really acknowledged that and it's time to do so

1:12:39 for our officers because our officers are still struggling through that they're still struggling with those times. We had a mass exodus. People left the department. I had officers who would come to me, because at the time I was the commander of Englewood, who would come to me and say, you know, sir, it's not just the people. Sometimes I'm hearing this from some of my own family members. It's a struggle. To our clinicians, EAP, the people who have stepped up and helped those officers, thank you.

1:13:11 Thank you for that. I remember at the time I had my sergeant, who's now a commander of the 6th District, Michael Tate. I threw him out of his office so that I could put the clinician in there, so that we told the officers, go in and just have a conversation. It's confidential. They did that. It helped them tremendously. That's why I say thank you. What I will say is moving forward, I'll never forget going into our SDSC room

1:13:43 and watching the downtown area go up during the day of civil unrest. And it was heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking. We were unprepared. And our officers in our city suffered as a result of it. Well, moving forward, even with less officers right now, we vowed in my leadership team, we vowed that we will never allow our city to go through anything like that again.

1:14:13 And when we found out, when we found out we had the DNC coming, we started preparing. A year out, we prepared. We wanted to make sure that we had the best, most well-trained officers with the best possible resources that we could provide. And we wanted to make sure that we took care of those officers.

1:14:43 And that's what the leadership team did from top down. The boots on the ground, the officers who are out there in the field, those officers, they're the lifeline of this city. They're the ones who are keeping the city safe. We have to take care of them. In doing so, in doing so, we were also able to reach out to the business community who did not hesitate to step up

1:15:17 and make sure that our officers were well-nourished during the time of the Democratic National Convention and hydrated. This is extremely important when you have officers who are standing out on their feet dealing with protests for hours upon hours and hours. It helped them cognitively. And as a result of it, six days of protests across the city of Chicago, the Democratic National Convention, where everyone expected everything to go wrong,

1:15:49 we had a total of 14 complaints. That, that, now I know what you're thinking, no complaint is good, right? But when you compare that to 2020, where there were 1,200 in the two-day period, you think of how great these officers worked through it. They dealt with it. They endured. And the level of resilience that they showed shows you that they could come up from a year like 2020,

1:16:25 continue to move forward, and continue to show the pride of the Chicago Police Department and go out there, keep our city safe, make it better for everyone in this room, and not only for everyone in this room, but for everyone across this city. Each and every one of these officers here live in this city. They're raising families in this city. It's important to them that this city is safe. Your family members are as important to us as our family members are,

1:16:56 and that's the work that these officers are going out there doing every single day. So today, you will hear a lot. You will hear a lot about heroism from these officers. You will hear how these officers were under gunfire. You will also hear situations where officers could have used deadly force, but instead they were able to revert to their training and bring a situation down,

1:17:27 Calm it down so that there was no loss of life. You see, that's amazing work, and this is what people need to understand about that type of work and how important it is. The average person, when your life is on the line, instincts kick in. And the thing that you think about is stopping that person immediately. And that may mean deadly force. But think about how our officers are thinking through that even when their lives are on the line.

1:17:59 See, officers are often faced with making split-second decisions, and you'll hear about that today also. But I want everyone in here to understand this. Constitutional policing is at the forefront of what we're doing. This is how we got through the DNC. At the same time, the safety of our officers and their ability to go out and protect our citizens from those who will do them harm is also at the forefront.

1:18:34 We have to make sure that our officers can do the job that they're sworn to do. They will do it constitutionally, but everyone has to understand that when facing... Death in deadly situations, situations where not only officers but other citizens could be catastrophically injured, that those officers are prepared to do it and we support them when they get that job done.

1:19:16 Lastly, we talked about our officers. I have to talk a little bit about my leadership team. just taking on the challenges that they've taken on over the past year and a half. I can tell you this right now. When we're sitting at the table, I'm not always the easiest person to get along with. I have ideas. We have to put them out there. However, I listen.

1:19:46 I don't know everything. And each one of these leaders up here knows that they don't know everything. The greatest leaders in the world know what they don't know, and we can lean on each other to figure these things out. And this is a team, and this team that's up here right now is here to support each and every member of this department, sworn and civilian. We will continue to do that because that's how we're going to continue to move this forward. My first deputy, I am proud to tell everyone in this room that First Deputy Superintendent Yolanda Talley was my choice and my choice alone.

1:20:39 She cares about the people of this department, just like every other member here on the dais. So thank you for stepping up and taking on that role. So at this time, I'd like to turn this over to the mayor of Chicago, and I'm not going to use his line. I'll let him do that. I'm going to turn this over to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was, he showed up to St. Jude, walked through the wind, stood the cold, showed support for our officers.

1:21:20 And he's doing the same here today. I'd like to thank the mayor for showing up here and supporting our officers and everything that we're doing. Mayor Brandon Johnson. Good afternoon, everyone. Dane Snelling, I thought you had him in order. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Superintendent Snelling, for your leadership. It is truly an honor to join you all this afternoon as we recognize the Chicago Police Department's remarkable achievements and commitment to service.

1:22:00 I am very grateful of the leadership that Superintendent Snelling and the entire CPD command staff has put forth. They lead our department forward, and they do it with a commitment to collaboration and integrity. But I'm also grateful that there are elected leaders that are here today. I do see our Attorney General who might have questions about trainees losing skin during training.

1:22:34 I don't know if that's something that you should not have heard, but would you please just give it up for our Attorney General Kwame Raul. And then there are a number of alders that are in the room. Could the alders please stand and be recognized, all of our alders? I hope and trust that them being here is recognition of their support, like mine, of this incredible department.

1:23:10 You know, our police department is better because our city is better, because this room is Chicago. Make no mistake about it, I do understand politics relatively well. It is easy to put forth a divisive, separate agenda. But one thing for sure, as we honor the brave women and men who serve this department, I hope that this is proof positive of what it means to have a united city recognizing that we are better, stronger, and safer together.

1:23:54 Today, we recognize the leaders who inspire us, the dozens of police officers who have done extraordinary service by protecting this beloved city. They have displayed incredible bravery and selflessness and a deep dedication to the people of Chicago. These officers went well above and beyond the call and the responsibility. responding at any time of the day or night

1:24:26 rushing into any situation and to do it with professionalism but most importantly do it out of love for our communities. The stories of the officers who are being honored today remind us all of the daily sacrifices that are made by our police officers and these are stories that remind us that Chicago police officers are truly the everyday heroes.

1:24:57 As we honor the officers who have served our city with distinction and honor, these officers that fortunately the city has lost far too soon, I hope it becomes a touchpoint because of the lives and the countless residents that they have made an impact on, that their memory and their bravery remains for generations to admire.

1:25:27 We can never repay the debt. We can never offer up enough gratitude and thanks. Everything that they are owed, not enough words or accolade, can fill the void that does exist. But we can commit ourselves to carry on their legacy and their bravery and their selflessness and their dedication. And I hope that by uplifting and etching their names into Chicago's history, that we can always be inspired by their service.

1:26:01 and to the families and loved ones who are gathered here today please know that our city and our police department are here for you as you heal there's a great deal of gratitude that cannot be expressed and the love and the joy that your memory is cherished words won't be enough to ultimately appreciate the gift of your loved one

1:26:33 to our city. But we are committed to building a city that is worthy of their service. And with today's awards and recognitions, we acknowledge the progress that the Chicago Police Department is making in building peaceful and safer communities. Each story of valor and resolve and trust building represents a deep step closer of our vision of a vibrant, thriving, safe Chicago. and as we continue to make the positive differences

1:27:05 throughout our communities I want to remind you that you are not alone on your mission you know I'm going to close with this there's a challenge that is moving through social media I don't really monitor social media but I have been made aware that there's this challenge of whether or not 100 men could take on a gorilla It shows you how primitive our species is because women are not even mentioned in anything that ridiculous.

1:27:42 So thank you to all of the women for having an evolved conscience. Now, I don't know the answer of whether or not 100 men can take on one gorilla. And I hope no one in here uses this as an opportunity to raise funds. But what I do know, what it takes to build a safer Chicago, is that it takes all of us. There's not one person in this room that gets to sit on their hands,

1:28:16 or not one person in this city that gets to sit on their hands, as it relates to transforming this city for the good. And my administration is leading the full force of government to approach safer communities. And through the People's Plan of Community Safety, every city department is focused on investing in the people of our communities where investment has most been needed to address the root causes of violence. We are bringing together communities that represent the faith community, the philanthropic community, the business community,

1:28:50 youth organizations, nonprofits, everyone has a role in contributing to the safety of our city. I've said it once. I'll say it again. We are asking police officers and law enforcement to do too much. It requires all of us. We have to build affordable homes. We have to make sure that our young people can see their purpose. We have to make sure that there's mental health support for every single individual that has experienced trauma.

1:29:20 We do that. The results are proof positive, because through that collective work, the city of Chicago has demonstrated what is possible when we all come together. The fact that violent crime is down in the city of Chicago, it's not a coincidence when you have a room full of Chicagoans who all recognize our collective responsibility to creating safe communities. And so I'm honored and deeply grateful for the collaborative approach that the Chicago Police Department has shared and the mission to uplift and serve our city.

1:29:52 And to the officers, finally, who are being awarded today, congratulations. Congratulations on your extraordinary commitment. Thank you to all of our officers. Today fills us with tremendous pride, and we deserve a deep, very profound appreciation for the makeup of the greatest freaking city in the world, the city of Chicago. Thank you all very much.

1:30:22 I do apologize. We recognize that the Cook County State's Attorney is also here. Could we also appreciate our brand-new Cook County State's Attorney? Thank you so much, Mayor. And now the moment we've all been waiting for, it is time for the award's presentation.

1:31:00 Our first award is the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor. Every year, the superintendent of police presents this award in memory of Mayor Richard J. Daley's outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Chicago. This award is presented to an individual whose contributed services have brought credit to the City of Chicago and or the Chicago Police Department. Please watch your screens as we highlight our recipient.

1:33:07 Mr. R.J. Melman, President and CEO of Let Us Entertain You Enterprises, has been a valuable partner to the Chicago Police Department, displaying remarkable generosity and support in times of critical need. During the 2024 Democratic National Convention, he provided thousands of means. for the officers working tirelessly on the front lines. His thoughtful gesture not only helped sustain our officers physically, but also served as a powerful reminder of the appreciation and respect that the Chicago community has for those who serve and protect it.

1:33:41 This act of kindness was instrumental in boosting the morale and well-being of our officers during an exceptionally challenging time, and we are deeply grateful for his support. But that's not all. Mr. Melman continues to demonstrate his commitment to the Chicago Police Department and its personnel. This past holiday season, he generously donated meals for a series of special luncheons organized for retirees in both the 22nd and 16th districts. This thoughtful gesture ensured that our retirees, who dedicated their careers to serving this city,

1:34:16 were remembered by the department. It is this kind of generosity that reinforces the strong bonds between the Chicago Police Department and the community it serves. Mr. Melman also played a pivotal role in fostering stronger relationships between the police and the public. He hosted a series of public safety meetings at his restaurants throughout Chicago. The gatherings provided a unique platform for open dialogue, allowing officers and community members to engage in constructive conversations about public safety and the importance of collaboration.

1:34:52 His efforts in this area exemplify his dedication to building bridges and creating a safer, more connected community. In recognition of these extraordinary acts of kindness and his ongoing dedication to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department, We are honored to present Mr. R.J. Melman with the Richard J. Daly Medal of Honor.

1:35:54 And now we'd like to bring up Mr. Melman for a few words. I'll just be very quick here. I want to thank my parents, my partners, my siblings, and my wife for coming to support me today. But the reality is there's only one group of people that should be honored, and it's the men and women of the CPD that are in this room. So thank you for all of your service to the city of Chicago. You should know that Let Us Entertain You is always here and will always be here to support you in your efforts.

1:36:25 And I wish you to continue to stay safe in a very, very, very challenging time and a very challenging job. Thank you very much. This next award is a newly created award in honor of Mr. Bill Curtis and his dedication to fair and honest journalism. This award recognizes Bill Curtis as a journalist who consistently upholds integrity, accuracy, and fairness in his coverage of law enforcement officers.

1:37:02 We have been truly honored to have him as the emcee for this luncheon for 15 years, highlighting the amazing work that our officers do, and it is now our turn to highlight him. Through balanced and thoughtful reporting, Mr. Curtis has built trust and understanding between the public and law enforcement. Mr. Curtis's commitment to ethical journalism fosters accountability and strengthens the relationship between officers and the communities they serve. Mr. Curtis is an acclaimed television news anchor and documentary producer.

1:37:36 He runs his own multimedia production company, Curtis Productions, which created the long-running, award-winning Cold Case Files and investigative reports on A&E, as well as the American Greed series on CNBC. He traveled the world for the Peabody Award-winning PBS series The New Explorers and is a former CBS News anchor and correspondent. He's also the author of two books, The Death Penalty on Trial, Crisis in American Justice, and Bill Curtis on Assignment.

1:38:09 Mr. Curtis is co-host of the weekly news quiz, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, on NPR. He also provided the satirical narration for the comedy film Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy. We present the first ever... Bill Curtis, Excellence in Journalism Award today to Mr. Bill Curtis. Is that great?

1:39:36 My father was a Marine. I was a Marine. And I believe from the ground up in an integrity, honor, service to country. Every time I walk in and I see the men walk across this stage, I know that it is alive and well. They do go to work every day and put their lives on the line. they walk patrol. That's why I accept this with great respect. I've done it for 15 years

1:40:13 with great respect. And you know something? I know what the frigging Constitution is.

1:40:44 The next award is presented. The next award presented is the Superintendent's Award of Valor. This award is presented to a sworn member for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism by which the recipient has demonstrated in great degree the characteristics of selflessness, personal courage, and devotion to duty. Fifth District police officers, Michelle Delgado and Omar Jimenez,

1:41:15 were responding to a call of a person with a gun. As they arrived on scene, they noticed someone standing on the sidewalk that matched the description given. As the officers were getting ready to park and exit the vehicle, the offender began to lift his arm and point a gun towards them. Officer Delgado quickly took action, defending herself and her partner. At the same time, Officer Jimenez began to reverse the vehicle and create distance from the offender who was still shooting at them before he fled the scene on foot.

1:41:46 Officer Delgado, Officer Jimenez, and Sergeant James Paoletti II established a perimeter around the building that the offender ran into. The officers patiently waited for the offender to resurface and he was placed into custody without further incident. Ladies and gentlemen, this Superintendent's Award of Valor is presented to Sergeant James Paoletti II.

1:42:34 Police Officer Michelle Delgado. Word recipient, Police Officer Omar Jimenez.

1:43:36 the victim of an aggravated assault. Police officers Tyler Humbles and Andrzej Kozlowski responded, and once they arrived on the scene, obtained a description of the armed offender and also learned he went inside a local bar. Officer Humbles and Officer Kozlowski entered the bar and immediately saw the offender pull a handgun from his pocket while saying, I'm not going to jail, bro. Officer Kozlowski sprang into action, physically struggling with the offender over the muzzle of the gun.

1:44:06 Officer Kozlowski was moving the gun out of the way of others in the crowded bar. As the struggle continued, the offender pulled the trigger. Officer Humbles immediately engaged with the offender to stop the threat. Thankfully, the offender was placed into custody without serious incident. Ladies and gentlemen, the Superintendent's Award of Valor is presented to Police Officer Tyler Humbles. Police Officer Andrzej Kozlowski.

1:44:52 4th District officers responded to a call of a person shot.

1:45:24 Once on scene, they learned from the victim that he had been walking to the synagogue when he was approached from behind and shot in the shoulder. Police officers Bienvenido Acevedo, James Amers, Tyler Hayes, Alex Hernandez, and Jonathan Pineda Reyes began to investigate when the offender returned to the scene and began to fire at them. The officers took cover, working together to pinpoint the location of the offender. As they continued to take cover with more shots headed their way, they returned fire.

1:45:56 Following an extensive volley of gunfire, the officers took the offender into custody and stopped what could have been a potential mass shooting. Ladies and gentlemen, this superintendent's award of valor is presented to Field Training Officer James Amers.

1:46:30 Officer, Bienvenido Acevedo.

1:47:01 Hayes, Alex Hernandez, Tineda Reyes, working on directed patrol.

1:48:12 They attempted to conduct a street stop on a subject for a firearms investigation. As they approached, the subject fled on foot and then turned toward the officers with a firearm in his hand and began to shoot toward them. Officer Gutierrez tumbled to the ground and Officer Villanova was struck by gunfire. Officer Schickel and Sergeant Runke exchanged gunfire with the offender before the threat subsided. Observing his partner's injuries, Officer Schickel quickly utilized his training and applied a tourniquet to Officer Villanova's arm and transported him to the hospital.

1:48:46 These members acted as a unified force to assist their injured teammate and prevent further harm to others. Ladies and gentlemen, this Superintendent's Award of Valor is presented to Sergeant Eric Runke, Carlos Gutierrez.

1:51:07 Our next award is the Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence. This award is presented to any sworn department member who utilized exceptional tactical skills or verbal approaches and techniques to mitigate any deadly force situation resulting in the saving or sustaining of a human life. The 1063 tactical team was detailed to the 11th District to help clear a large street gathering when they began to hear shots fired nearby. The officers quickly and carefully moved through the crowd and began to run toward the sound.

1:51:42 Despite the chaos, police officer Samantha Surma spotted someone carrying a gun. Officer Surma quickly realized she was in a difficult tactical situation as the gunman was surrounded by innocent civilians. She started to give the subject verbal commands to drop the weapon. The subject disregarded Officer Surma's commands and raised his weapon toward her. Making a difficult choice, Officer Surma held her fire and gave one more final command to drop the weapon to which the offender finally obeyed.

1:52:17 Through patience and fortitude, the officer diffused this hostile situation, sanctity of life, as her primary goal. Ladies and gentlemen, this superintendent's award of tactical excellence is presented to police officer Samantha Surma. It's been shot in Melrose Park.

1:53:01 When they arrived at the hospital and spoke with the victim, they learned she was accidentally shot by a gun her boyfriend had on his lap while they were fighting in his car. Officers began to search for the boyfriend and found him in the hospital parking lot. As the officers began to carefully approach the offender, they noticed he was still holding the gun in his hand. The officers began to use the tactics of time, distance, and shielding while giving direct verbal commands to lower the weapon. Even as the offender held his weapon in a ready stance, the officers were committed

1:53:36 to helping the man cooperate. With patience and fortitude, the officer's directions were finally followed by the offender when he complied with the officer's requests and was placed into custody. Ladies and gentlemen, this superintendent's award of tactical excellence is presented to Sergeant Michael Petrusonis identified at an area convenience store in the 8th District.

1:55:10 Police officer Hector Briseño and police officer Cole Ryan were patrolling the area when the convenience store clerk told them the robbery suspect fled the store when he saw the officers and gave them a description. The officers sent out a flash message and began to canvas the area. They found the offender hiding behind a dumpster, crouched with a semi-automatic firearm pointed toward them. Officer Briseño and Officer Cole approached the offender and calmly began to use de-escalation techniques to defuse the situation

1:55:42 and gain voluntary compliance. The offender was identified in multiple armed robberies and charged with a Class X felony. Ladies and gentlemen, this Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer Hector Briseño, Police Officer Samantha Realford, and Police Officer Thomas Barucki responded to a person with a knife call.

1:56:57 Once they arrived on scene, witnesses told the officers that a woman was behind the building holding a knife and threatening to injure a family member. The officers helped the occupants of the building exit through the front to safety and then went back inside. They opened the back door and attempted to give verbal commands to the offender in order to gain voluntary compliance. The offender refused, and the officers had to wrestle the offender and disarm her. After a short tussle, the offender was safely placed in custody

1:57:28 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Ladies and gentlemen, this Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer Thomas Borucki.

1:58:56 called to the scene of a person with a knife threatening people walking by. The officers approached the offender, verbally commanding him to drop the knife. When the offender refused, the officers realized the situation was on the verge of becoming deadly. The officers made a plan to use their tactical training and conduct an emergency takedown. Officer Binkley performed a takedown and brought the offender to the ground. Officer Gatlin helped gain control of the offender while Officer Binkley grabbed the knife.

1:59:28 An end came to this stressful situation when the offender was placed into custody without further incident. This superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer Charles Binkley, flagged down by the victim of an armed robbery,

2:00:24 who pointed out the nearby offender. Officer Belmontes could see that the offender held a firearm in his hand. As he approached the offender, Officer Belmontes evaluated his surroundings and observed a large crowd behind the offender, which made the situation trickier. Understanding the risk, Officer Belmontes decided to talk to the offender until reinforcements arrived and he had a better tactical advantage. The officer stayed calm in the face of danger and handled the situation without using force.

2:00:59 After supporting officers arrived, the offender was placed into custody. This superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer Juan Belmontes, who responded to a call of a person in crisis with a gun,

2:01:40 threatening self-harm and harm to others. The individual was also under the influence of drugs and alcohol and couldn't be found. Officer Sanabria spoke with the family member who called and formulated a plan for finding the individual. Officer Sanabria toured the area and located the man. Knowing that he had to act fast, Officer Sanabria placed himself in the path of the individual and began giving him verbal commands to drop the weapon. But the individual pulled the weapon from his waistband instead.

2:02:12 With patience and strategy, Officer Sanabria convinced the man in crisis to drop his weapon and get the help he needed. This Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer Gary Sanabria.

2:02:50 Police officer Angel Fabian and police officer Jonathan Watkins were looking for four offenders involved in an armed robbery. Four males matching the description immediately fled on foot after seeing the officers. One offender fled holding a large object inside his hoodie pocket that looked like a weapon. The officers decided to focus on what may be an armed individual as the others fled the scene. Officer Fabian and Officer Watkins began to close the gap between themselves and the offender

2:03:22 as the offender pulled the weapon out of his pocket and continued to run with it. The offender suddenly stopped and turned toward the officers while holding the gun. Facing this imminent threat of violence, Officer Fabian and Officer Watkins initiated an emergency takedown. The offender struggled with the officers before they wrestled the gun out of his hands. The officers then placed the offender in custody without further incident. This Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to

2:03:53 Police Officer Angel Fabian, Police Officer Jonathan Watkins,

2:04:37 to a call of a person with a gun. Once on the scene, Officers James Core spoke with a witness who stated a male in the building would come out of his apartment, discharge his firearm, and then go back inside. Responding officers came up with a plan to apprehend the offender, but as they knocked on the offender's door, the offender began to shoot from a window. The officers retreated to take cover, with Officer James Corr gaining a tactical position with shielding next to the brick wall of the adjacent apartment.

2:05:10 As the offender exited the apartment with his weapon drawn, Officer James Corr began to give verbal direction and close the distance. With trepidation, the offender complied and dropped the weapon, and Officer James Corr initiated a takedown, retrieved the offender's weapon, and placed the offender into custody. This Superintendent's Award of Tactical Excellence is presented to Police Officer William James Corr. Our next award is the Thomas Wortham IV Military and Community Service Award.

2:06:16 This award is presented to a sworn department member who is a current or former member of any branch of the United States Armed Services who has made significant contributions to the department and provides a continuing contribution to the community. Police Officer Ronald Ayala is a member of the United States Marine Corps and an active member of the community. During his active duty career in the Marines, he spent time overseas deployed to Japan, Australia, Thailand, Colombia, and Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2:06:50 After completing active duty, Police Officer Ayala felt the need to give back to the Marine Corps, so he joined the Great Lakes Reservist Unit where he mentored younger Marines. Police Officer Ayala is very active in the local community through his work with the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and the Alliance of Logan Square organization, where he mentors at-risk youth. Officer Ayala also represents the Chicago Police Department as a member of the Chicago Police Knights Baseball Club,

2:07:22 where he helped create camps for underprivileged youth through the Police Youth League. He's also volunteered with many organizations, including the Miracle Center, the Bell Park Youth League, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the West Side Youth Baseball League, the Back to School Book Bag and School Supply Giveaway, and the annual Turkey Drive. Ladies and gentlemen, to present the Thomas Wortham IV Award is Sandra Wortham. The Thomas Wortham IV Military and Community Service Award is presented to

2:07:56 Police Officer Ronald Ayala.

2:08:46 Her Leadership Award exemplifies former Chicago Police Commander Paul R. Bowers' dedication to service, visionary approach to operational excellence, and dynamic leadership in law enforcement. This award is granted to a non-exempt member or sworn supervisor who has exhibited exemplary service, visionary approach to operational service, and dynamic leadership in law enforcement. Captain Seamus Mannion has demonstrated a tireless commitment to his duties

2:09:19 through dynamic leadership and a deep sense of responsibility. Whether leading in the field, working on logistical plans, or handling administrative responsibilities, Captain Mannion remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting the community and ensuring the safety and security of all Chicagoans while promoting the positive work of the Chicago Police Department. Captain Mannion was involved in the planning and execution of operational plans for various First Amendment events, including NATO in 2012, the civil unrest of 2020,

2:09:54 and yearly Lollapalooza festivals, the Chicago Marathon, and a host of events at Soldier Field. Captain Mannion possesses the remarkable ability to innovate through an adaptive leadership style. This ability has driven the development and execution of numerous strategic initiatives that have significantly improved the Department's operational efficiency and the safety of the community. As a supervisor, Captain Mannion is deeply committed to the growth and development of the members under his command through regular feedback,

2:10:27 training opportunities, and encouragement. He ensures those under his leadership are equipped to succeed professionally and personally. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Paul Bauer Leadership Award is Aaron Bauer. This Paul Bauer Leadership Award is presented to Captain Seamus Mannion. Thank you.

2:12:08 The William Powers Leadership Award exemplifies retired Commander William Powers' dedication to service, visionary approach to operational excellence, and dynamic leadership in law enforcement. This award is granted to exempt members. First Deputy Superintendent Yolanda Talley, Chief John Hine, Chief Antoinette Erseti, Chief Dwayne DeVries, Chief Angel Navalas, and Director Glenn Brooks displayed unwavering leadership in the planning and execution

2:12:41 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Each of these leaders took on specific roles in the preparation of this citywide event. All the pieces came together seamlessly as the world-watched Chicago host, the DNC. These department supervisors displayed a dedication to professionalism while promoting personal development and operational excellence. We are all inspired by the enthusiasm in their manner of command. They encouraged and instilled high expectations in personnel under their command

2:13:12 and displayed a sense of community awareness. Working together, the first deputy superintendent, chiefs, and director maintained the highest level of professionalism and ensured guidance was provided to other members of the department, sworn and civilian, in keeping with the highest traditions of excellence in the Chicago Police Department. Ladies and gentlemen, here to present the William Powers Leadership Award is Terry Powers. The William Powers Leadership Award is presented to First Deputy Superintendent Yolanda Talley.

2:13:54 John Pine. It's now time to reveal the Chicago Police Department's highest award, the Police Medal.

2:16:31 This award is presented to officers whose actions are so outstanding, they deserve special recognition. This year, we honor three members of the Chicago Police Department with the Police Medal. In the early morning hours of April 21, 2024, Police Officer Luis Huesca was returning home after working on the Area 2 Priority Response Team. As he parked in the driveway of his home, he was ambushed by an armed offender.

2:17:05 In that split-second attack, Officer Huesca still attempted to defend himself, but was ultimately defeated. Throughout his life and until his final moments, Officer Huesca was committed to defending the city of Chicago and its citizens. His remarkable character contributed to his ability to help people, whether on duty or off duty. Ladies and gentlemen, the Police Medal, along with the Police Blue Star and the Superintendent's Award of Valor,

2:17:38 is posthumously presented to Police Officer Luis Huesca. Receiving the award on behalf of Officer Huesca is his mother, Edith Huesca.

2:18:59 Police Officer Enrique Martinez and his partner were conducting a traffic stop. And as they approached the vehicle, the driver began to shoot directly at Officer Martinez, striking him several times. The driver attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, but crashed nearby and then fled on foot. Responding officers located the offender and placed him in custody, and the offender was charged with first-degree murder. Police Officer Enrique Martinez displayed courage in the face of danger.

2:19:34 He is a true example of the dedication of a Chicago police officer. Ladies and gentlemen, the Police Medal, along with the Police Blue Star and the Superintendent's Award of Valor, is posthumously presented to Police Officer Enrique Martinez. Receiving the award on his behalf is Officer Martinez's brother, Police Officer Adrian Martinez. On September 4, 1987, 22-year-old police officer James Crowley was working special employment for the Chicago Housing Authority.

2:21:31 Officer Crowley and his partner responded to a man with a gun call. As they were driving, they were broadsided by another vehicle. Officer Crowley sustained a catastrophic brain injury as a result of the crash that ultimately ended his career. Officer Crowley lived in a group home located in San Marcos, Texas, where he received specialized care for his injuries. In August 2024, he passed away as a result of the injuries sustained nearly 37 years ago.

2:22:02 Ladies and gentlemen, the Police Medal, along with the Police Blue Star and the Superintendent's Award of Valor, is posthumously presented to Police Officer James Crowley. Receiving the award on behalf of Police Officer James Crowley is his sister, Beth Carter.

2:23:09 Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause to all of our recipients this afternoon. And now at this time, I would like to turn the microphone back to the First Deputy Superintendent, Yolanda Talley.

2:23:51 Superintendent, do you want to come up now or do you want to come up later? Okay. Rabbi Moshe Wolf will now help us conclude our ceremony with the benediction. Are you going to come up now?

2:24:23 That was not planned at all. Just want to let you know. Listen, first of all, I just want to close out by, you know, just saying thank you to all of the officers here, all of our awardees and our family members, our new family members. We've lost officers in the line of duty. As you can see, you see the emotion of these family members as they walk across the stage remembering their family members who have followed in the line of duty.

2:24:56 we have to make sure that we support all the time not just sometimes not when the cameras are around we have to support all the time this is not easy work this work takes a special kind of person how do you become an exemplary officer you first have to be an exemplary human being and what you saw here today was an example of exemplary human beings doing exemplary things so i just want to say thank you and thank you to everyone here all of our

2:25:29 supporters right all of our elected officials who are here supporting everyone who shows up to these dinners get to understand what police officers are dealing with on a daily basis and the more that we educate each other and the more that we teach each other about what it is that we go through and what we're dealing with and the human element behind it the better we'll be for it so So let's just continue to educate everyone that we can on how tough this work is and what these officers are dealing with on a daily basis and we will be here for you.

2:26:05 Till the end. So there's nothing but support in this room, and I appreciate it. Thank you to everyone here, and thank you for showing up and coming out for our offices and showing support. Thank you. And now Rabbi Moshe Wolf will now help us conclude our ceremony with the benediction. Before we close, Sergeant Hoover, where are you?

2:26:38 Can you please come up to the stage? Let's give a round of applause for putting this together here today. You did a great, great job. Great job. I'm going to have you sit down for a moment, real quick. Relax, boss. She calls me yesterday, Sergeant Hoover, and she says, it's going to be a long program.

2:27:09 When you're finished, make it brief. And she reminds me of the story of what happened at Yale University. Real quick. Yale University was having a commencement exercise, and the guest speaker didn't show up. So what did they do? They go to the local temple and ask the rabbi, will you come and speak at the graduation? So he shows up and he says, you know, I'm really unprepared, so what I will do is I will speak on the letters of the university, Y-A-L-E. So he gets up and says, Y stands for youth, and he speaks a half hour on youth.

2:27:43 He says, A stands for ability, and he goes on for another half hour about ability. He says, L stands for loyalty, and he goes a half hour on loyalty. and then he says, E stands for enthusiasm, and he gets all fired up and goes out another half hour on enthusiasm. He gets off the space, and he's about to walk out to his seat, and he sees at the front table there's somebody sitting there with the head in between the hands shaking back and forth. So the rabbi taps him on the shoulder and says, I see my speech really touched you.

2:28:16 What touched you so much? And the guy says, actually, I was just thanking God that the name of the school is not Massachusetts Institute of Technology. And you can use that at your next business meeting. Let us pray. Dear God, as we close this beautiful ceremony, we pray in words of our tradition. May God bless you and keep you. May he shine his countenance upon you and be gracious to you.

2:28:46 May he bless you with peace and always keep you in his loving care. Dear Lord, we say a prayer for our brothers and sisters working the streets and those overseas fighting for our freedom. Please bring them home safely to the loved ones at the end of the Torah duty. And let us say, Amen. Thank you to all who are gathered here with us today. As we come to the close of the 64th Annual Recognition Ceremony, I want to take a moment to reflect on the acts of courage, compassion, and commitment.

2:29:25 These are the stories that remind us of the extraordinary men and women who wear the badge with honor every day. To all of our officers, thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice, your integrity, and your unwavering service. You run toward danger so others can be safe. You don't serve for recognition, but because you believe in something greater than yourselves. To the families and the loved ones here today, your support is the backbone that allows these officers to do what they do.

2:29:56 Your strength is seen and deeply appreciated. To our community partners, thank you for standing with us. True public safety is built not just on enforcement, but on connection, on trust, outreach, and shared purpose. We are stronger because of you. And to our generous sponsors, your commitment to supporting the Chicago Police Department always allows us to gather like this, to honor heroes, and to invest in the future of community safety. Your partnership makes a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful.

2:30:30 As we leave this afternoon, let's carry with us a renewed sense of unity, pride, and purpose. Let us remember that behind every uniform is a human being, someone's son or daughter, spouse, parent, or friend, who made the decision to serve and protect. Thank you all for being here. Thank you for your continued support. And above all, thank you to our officers. Stay safe and stay strong.

2:31:07 Please watch the screens as we highlight our community supporters with a short thank you video. You guys can have a seat. I'm sorry. Please be seated.

2:32:55 Everyone, please stand for the retirement of the colors.

2:34:55 This concludes our ceremony. Thank you for your continued support and have a nice day.

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