OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
July 30, 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
adopted by The Qltlj QoUVlCll
of the Qity of Qkicago, Illinois
te(l L. MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL
on
JULY 30, 2014
VVWCTfiWS * °n tne n'9nt of APril 18' 2014' Chicago police officers in the Department's Vice Division were assigned to investigate reports of human trafficking and prostitution along Cicero Avenue on the City's West side; and
WHEREAS, Officer Sandra R. Stoppa (Star #11939), who had become aware of a man holding himself out as a pimp for young girls, went undercover to gather intelligence about the girls the suspect was controlling; and
WHEREAS, In order to gain the suspect's trust, although aware of the potential danger, Police Officer Stoppa met him, alone, in an area known to be a haven for crime; and
WHEREAS, Unbeknownst to Officer Stoppa, a second man was nearby, accompanied by a woman he intended to force to work as a prostitute. The second man approached Officer Stoppa and demanded that she leave the street corner; and
WHEREAS, Before she could respond, the man viciously attacked Officer Stoppa. Fighting back courageously, Officer Stoppa was able to signal fellow officers and ward off her much larger attacker; and
WHEREAS, In the brief time it took for backup to arrive, Police Officer Stoppa suffered a serious concussion, frontal lobe damage, a blood clot on the brain, and a broken nose. The extent of her injuries required Officer Stoppa to remain in the hospital for treatment of memory loss and severe headaches; and
WHEREAS, As a result of Police Officer Stoppa's actions, her assailant, who was on parole for his second violent robbery conviction, was arrested and charged with a parole violation and aggravated battery of a police officer, and is currently in custody awaiting tridl; and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Stoppa acted quickly, courageously, and professionally to investigate a heinous crime, then defended herself from a vicious assault. Thanks to her exemplary efforts, a dangerous felon has been taken off the streets of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Stoppa has served eight of her sixteen years with distinction in the Chicago Police Department's Vice Division, volunteering to infiltrate the highly dangerous communities where men are known to support the sex trade in the City, and offering support and services to sex workers often exploited against their will; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled on this thirtieth day of July, 2014, do hereby honor Chicago Police Officer Sandra R. Stoppa for her devotion to duty and resolute display of bravery in the face of danger; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Police Officer Sandra R. Stoppa, and placed on permanent record in her personnel file, as a token of our gratitude and esteem.