H resolution
adopted by Qlty QoUHCll
of** Qity of GhicagOj Illinois
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL Qn OCTOBER 3, 2012
6VBCIS ' °n February 18, 2012, at about 1:00 p.m., a Lakeview man arid his girlfriend were walking his dog along Belmont Harbor when his dog suddenly jumped into the frigid water of Lake Michigan; and
WHEREAS, While trying to get his dog out of the water, the man slipped on the slick rocks and fell in, and as he was struggling to keep himself and his dog afloat as waves were crashing into them, passersby who saw him called 9-1-1; and
WHEREAS, Upon hearing the distress call, Town Hall Police Officer Elizabeth A. Joyce (Star Number 9871) who was working nearby, immediately rushed to the area, located the man, radioed the exact location of the incident, and swiftly began a rescue effort; and
WHEREAS, Without regard to her own safety, Officer Joyce quickly removed her duty belt, climbed down the icy rocks and lay down on her stomach at the edge of the freezing water, and braving two-foot-high waves and the gusty winds, she grabbed the victim, secured him with her duty belt, and kept his head from going under; and
WHEREAS, In the meantime, Officer Edmund A. Echevarria (Star Number 16665), a member of the Chicago Police Marine Unit, Town Hall District Lieutenant Robert H. Stasch (Star Number 187) and Sergeant William B. Neja (Star Number 1990) heard the dispatch call and rushed to the area to help; and
WHEREAS, The arriving officers climbed down the icy rocks to assist Officer Joyce, who was still holding the man securely, preventing him from drowning; and
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WHEREAS, After several attempts, the officers safely pulled the victim and his dog from the water. The victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was treated for hypothermia, and his dog also received care and was safely returned; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Neja injured his knee when he hit a rock during the rescue effort, and all the officers were treated for hypothermia; and
WHEREAS, Each of these officers risked their own lives to save the victim by climbing down the icy rocks of Belmont Harbor, while getting drenched with the frigid water from the Lake, ignoring the possibility of falling in, and braving the crashing high waves; and
WHEREAS, These officers' courage, quick thinking and determination are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Chicago Police Department; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this third day of October, 2012, do hereby honor Police Officer Elizabeth A. Joyce, Marine Officer Edmund A. Echevarria, Lieutenant Robert H. Stasch, and Sergeant William B. Neja for their valor, loyalty and dedication to the people of the City of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to these members of the Chicago Police Department, and placed on permanent record in their personnel files, as a token of our appreciation and esteem.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 3, 2012
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning the Chicago Police Department.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
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