OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 8,2014
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.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H resolution
cdopud by Tke Qity Qouncil o/the Qity of Qkicago, Illinois
'^resented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL on OCTOBER 8.2014
6Y6CIS On *ne night of June 6, 2014, Chicago police officers in the Department's Gang Enforcement Division were investigating reports of an armed man in the vicinity of Wallace Avenue and 93rd Street on the City's South Side; and
WHEREAS, Officers Javier Alonso (Star #18523), Joel A. Bentley (Star #13297), Lawrence W. Kerr (Star #4871), Ladonna F. Simmons (Star #13466) and Michael M. Wrobel (Star #11688) saw the suspect enter a vehicle and they began to approach him; and
WHEREAS, The suspect, suddenly and without warning, opened fire on the officers with a semi-automatic handgun, striking Officer Alonso in the leg and Officer Wrobel in the chest. Fortunately, Officer Wrobel was wearing a bulletproof vest; and
WHEREAS, Officers Bentley, Kerr and Simmons immediately returned fire in order to protect their fellow officers and neutralize the danger at hand; and
WHEREAS, Although Officer Wrobel was knocked to the ground, suffering a cracked rib from the gunshot, he quickly recovered and returned to his police vehicle. Officer Wrobel drove through the line of fire to rescue Officer Alonso, who was unable to stand due to his leg injury; and
WHEREAS, Officer Wrobel evacuated Officer Alonso from the scene by placing him in the rear seat of his vehicle and transporting him to a nearby hospital; and
WHEREAS, Officers Bentley, Kerr and Simmons incapacitated the shooter and took him into police custody. As a result of these officers' actions, the assailant, who was on parole for previous violent crimes, including a shooting in the South suburbs in 2005, was arrested and charged with five counts of attempted murder in the first degree, and is currently awaiting trial; and
WHEREAS, Officers Alonso, Bentley, Kerr, Simmons and Wrobel acted quickly, courageously and professionally to defend themselves from a violent and unprovoked attack. Thanks to their exemplary efforts, a dangerous felon has been taken off the streets of Chicago; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eighth day of October, 2014, do hereby honor Chicago Police Officers Javier Alonso, Joel A. Bentley, Lawrence W. Kerr, Ladonna F. Simmons and Michael M. Wrobel for their devotion to duty, and for their resolute display of bravery in the face of danger; and
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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 gratitude and esteem.