OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
MAYOR
November 10, 2010
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning Officers Robert A. Vahl and Steven S. Barsch of the Chicago Police Department, and their exemplary conduct during the events of December 28, 2009.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
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v:.-.
H resolution
aSopud by (Jke Qity Gouncil of ^ Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
presented by MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY on NOVEMBER 10,2010
6T6CIS > °n *ne evening of December 28, 2009, 9th District Tactical Police Officers Robert A. Vahl (Star #7350) and Steven S. Barsch (Star #18287) of the Chicago Police Department earned the gratitude of all Chicagoans by risking their lives to assist the victim of a vicious and life-threatening crime; and
WHEREAS, On that evening, a female resident of the Southeast Side of Chicago was entering her home when she was brutally assaulted by an ex-boyfriend, who began to beat her, forced her into his car, took her cell phone and told her that she would never see her family again; and
WHEREAS, The beating and threats continued while the woman tried, without success, to escape from the car that the offender drove to the 5500 block of South Winchester Avenue; and
WHEREAS, While en route, the offender telephoned his brother and asked the brother to bring a gun and to meet him at the alley. The brother complied with this request; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving at the alley, the offender pulled the victim from his car, forced her to kneel, placed the gun to her head, fired a shot into the air, and ordered her to call her boyfriend as the offender dragged the terrified wpman down the alley; and
WHEREAS, Fortunately for the victim, Officers Robert Vahl and Steven Barsch were on patrol nearby when they heard loud screams coming from the alley; and
WHEREAS, Without hesitation or regard for their own personal safety, Officers Vahl and Barsch cp:n to the alley, where they saw the crime in progress; and
WHEREAS, Upon seeing Officers Vahl and Barsch, the victim screamed that the offender was trying to rob her and that he had a gun; and
WHEREAS, Without firing a shot, Officers Vahl and Barsch immediately apprehended the offender and recovered the loaded handgun from the offender. The offender's brother, who tried to flee the scene, was apprehended as well; and
WHEREAS, Officers Vahl and Barsch recovered the victim's cell phone and other items of her personal property while searching the offender's vehicle. A later investigation revealed that both the offender and his brother were active street gang members, and that the gunman was a convicted felon with a history of violence; and
WHEREAS, Both the offender and his brother were charged with attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping, armed robbery and the unlawful use of a weapon; and
WHEREAS, The victim of this horrific ordeal would not be alive today if it were not for the decisive intervention of Police Officers Robert Vahl and Steven Barsch, who, in keeping with the highest traditions of the Chicago Police Department, performed their jobs courageously, flawlessly and with outstanding results; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this tenth day of November, 2010, do hereby applaud Chicago Police Officers Robert A. Vahl and Steven S. Barsch for their professionalism, valor and exceptional efforts on behalf of the citizenry of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Chicago Police Officers Robert Vahl and Steven Barsch, and placed on permanent record in each of their personnel files, as a token of our appreciation and esteem