OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
April 13,2011
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning Officers Eugene M. Ortiz and Marco A. Renteria of the Chicago Police Department, and their exemplary conduct during the events of February 11, 2011.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
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H resolution
adopted by Tlie Gltlj QoUHCll
ofthe Qity of Ghicago, Illinois
ted hu MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY
on
APRIL 13, 2011
VvflClfGttS While on patrol late in the evening of February 11, 2011, Chicago Police Department 25th District Officers Eugene M. Ortiz (Star #16378) and Marco A. Renteria (Star #9456), were startled to see thick, dark smoke billowing from a multi-unit apartment building in the 6000 block of West Wabansia Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The Officers immediately notified the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and requested Fire and Police assistance; and
WHEREAS, The Officers then saw several small children looking through the window of a first-floor apartment. The children were apparently paralyzed with fear, and did not respond to the Officers' commands to leave the building; and
WHEREAS, Realizing that quick, decisive action was imperative, Police Officers Ortiz and Renteria forced their way into the building and found the apartment where the children were trapped; and
WHEREAS, The two Officers then forced their way into the apartment, and were able to rescue the three children, along with a senior citizen and two other adults who had been sleeping; and
WHEREAS, The Fire Department soon arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire after a determined effort, a task made more difficult by several frozen hydrants; and
WHEREAS, The two Officers took the three children to their grandparents' home nearby, and the adult victims were quickly taken to local hospitals, where they were treated for smoke inhalation and released. Upon leaving the hospital, one of the grateful victims said: "Thank God for these Officers. If it was not for them, I would have lost my whole family"; and
WHEREAS, Because of their alertness, courage and decisive action in the face of danger, Officers Ortiz and Renteria saved six people from serious injury or worse; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this thirteenth day of April, 2011, do hereby commend Chicago Police Officers Eugene M. Ortiz and Marco A. Renteria for their diligence and bravery under life-threatening conditions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Chicago Police Officers Eugene M. Ortiz and Marco A. Renteria, and placed on permanent record in each of their personnel files, as a token of our appreciation and esteem.