OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
December 12, 2018
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Reboyras and Napolitano, a congratulatory resolution regarding the Chicago Police Department.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On the afternoon of September 18, 2018, off-duty Chicago Police Sergeant Michael Bazarek (Star #1913) was driving along Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown when he saw a man on the sidewalk ranting, making wild hand gestures, and screaming at the sky and sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek did not have a police radio, but recognizing that the man could injure someone, Sergeant Bazarek began following the man in his personal vehicle; and
WHEREAS, Suddenly, and without provocation, the man violently lashed out at an elderly man on the sidewalk. The assailant struck the older man in the head with a closed fist so hard that the the victim crumpled to the ground, to the horror of both Sergeant Bazarek and several passers-by; and
WHEREAS, Seeing that others were coming to the aid of the injured man, and recognizing that the assailant could attack others, Sergeant Bazarek made a call for backup on his cell phone and maneuvered his car in the heavy traffic so that he could follow the assailant; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek followed the assailant for several blocks, until he learned that backup officers were on their way. Sergeant Bazarek then blocked the assailant's escape with his car, and ordered him to stop and put his hands up; and
WHEREAS, Despite continuing his erratic behavior, the assailant stopped and complied with Sergeant Bazarek's order. A short time later officers arrived to take the assailant into custody. It was later learned that the assailant, who continued his attacks against officers while in custody, has a history of violence against the elderly; and
WHEREAS, The victim was seriously injured, but continues to make a recovery;
and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek's quick thinking and bravery in tracking and stopping the assailant prevented any further attacks; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek and his family have a combined 125 years of police service. When this incident occurred, Sergeant Bazarek had been attending a retirement seminar at police headquarters as he made plans to wrap up a successful career serving the residents of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek's actions exemplify the dedication to duty and commitment to the community inherent in all members of Chicago Police Department, both on- and off-duty; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twelfth day of December, 2018, do hereby express our admiration and gratitude to Chicago Police Sergeant Michael Bazarek for his quick thinking and bravery; and /
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Bazarek, and placed on permanent record in his personnel file, as a token of our gratitude and esteem.
H resolution
adopted by Tke (Pitt/ QoUUcil
of *ht Gity of Gkicago, Illinois
Aldermen Ariel Reboyras, Anthony V. Napolitano and
Mayor Rahm Emanuel December 12, 2018
yOhstGClS . On the afternoon of September 18, 2018, off-duty Chicago Police Sergeant Michael Bazarek (Star #1913) was driving along Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown when he saw a man on the sidewalk, ranting, making wild hand gestures, and screaming at the sky and sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek did not have a police radio, but recognizing that the
man could injure someone, Sergeant Bazarek began following the man in his personal
vehicle; and ' '• "" " ' •:'V; ':?;-'' ■ '
WHEREAS, Suddenly, and without provocatiqn/the man violently lashed out at an
elderly manpn.the sidewdIL the o!deY;rhqnjn:the;h^
fist so hard that the the/.vjctirin cmmpje'd to this groyhd,^p^
Bazarek and several passers-by; and : ■ /;^h ' ^::v ^ S^'^'.'" ' ^::V; ■ '
WHEREAS. Seeing thgt others were coming, jp th.e jqid-df. the jnjiyred man,and .,recoi$]an.g"that the assailant could attack pthers,/$efgepn|.;.Bqz^ bqckup^pn his cell phone and maneuvered his cdr'in the\:heq^ could fpllow'.the assailant-; and ':
. WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek followed ,the assailant 'fpr;:SeverqKblqcks, until >he learned that backup officers were pn. their way. Sergeant:Bdzqre'k/then blocked the assailant's escape, with his car, and ordered him to stop and put his hands bp; and
WHEREAS, Despite continuing his erratic behavior, the assailant stopped and complied with Sergeant Bazarek's order. A short time later officers arrived to take the assailant into custody. It was later learned that the assailant, who'continued his attacks against officers while in custody, has d history of violence against the elderly; and
WHEREAS, The victim was seriously injured, but continues to make a recovery; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek's quick thinking and bravery in tracking and stopping the assailant prevented any further attacks; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek and his family have a combined 125 years of police service. When this incident, occurred, Sergeant Bazarek had been attending a retirement seminar at police headquarters as he made plans to wrap up a successful career serving the residents.of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bazarek's actions exemplify the dedication to duty and commitment to the community inherent in all members of Chicago Police Department, both on- and off-duty; now, therefore
■ BE IT RESOLVED, That we; the Mayor arid Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twelfth day of December, 2018, do hereby express our admiration and gratitude to Chicago .Police Sergeant Michael Bazarek for his quick thinking and bravery; and ' ■■■ ■
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be pres'ented to Sergeant" Bdzarek', and placed on permanent record in his personnel file, as'q.token of our gratitude and esteem. . 'v