Latest news with #LawEnforcementMedalofHonor
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gov. Pritzker awards Medal of Honor to Rockford Police officer
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police Officer Jon Vargas was awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor from Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly on Thursday. The Medal of Honor is awarded to officers who performed acts of heroism. Officer Vargas lost his former K9 partner, Nyx, in a shooting on January 28th, 2024. According to police, Malik Trotter, 28, shot and killed the K9 during a police pursuit that ended in the 2900 block of 11th Street. Police were able to track a phone to an 11th Street address. K9 Officer Jon Vargas spotted Trotter and a foot chase ensued, during which K9 Nyx was shot and killed. Trotter allegedly shot at Vargas, and was shot in the leg by returned fire. In April, the police department announced Vargas would partner with a new 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, named . Twenty-three officers from 10 police agencies were honored in Springfield today. 'Today, we pay tribute to our heroic police officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while protecting our communities,' said Pritzker. 'From Palatine to Chicago to Granite City, our honorees saved lives and offered comfort and support to countless others. While we will never be able to repay their bravery in full, we hope that this recognition can serve as a public reminder of our gratitude and a symbol of the sincere reverence we hold them in.' The 2024 recipients for the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor being honored this year are: Chicago Police Department Officer Roy De La Huerta Officer Michelle Drapala Officer Edwin J. Gramajo Officer Luis M. Huesca Officer Omar Jimenez Officer Carlos Martinez Officer Enrique Martinez Chillicothe Police Department Officer David J. Buchanan Cicero Police Department Officer Luis Martinez Officer Reynol Ramos DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Deputy Christina M. Musil DeKalb Police Department Officer Brian Bollow Chief David Byrd Sergeant Keunte Mallett East Moline Police Department Sergeant William R. Lind Granite City Police Department Officer Douglas B. Nicoson Illinois State Police Trooper Clay M. Carns Trooper Adam D. FittsMaster Sergeant Ross A. Green Trooper Corey S. Thompsen Trooper Blake D. Thompson Palatine Police Department Officer Shane P. Murray Rockford Police Department Officer Jonathan A. Vargas Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local officer recognized with Illinois Law Enforcement Medal Of Honor
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. (WMBD) — A local police officer was recognized for his brave service to the people of Illinois. Officer David Buchanan of the Chillicothe Police Department was awarded a 2024 Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor on Thursday, according to an Illinois State Police news release. Buchanan joined the department last year after retiring from the Peoria Police Department. He was recognized at the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor ceremony in Springfield, which honored 23 officers from 10 different agencies who performed acts of heroism or were killed or seriously injured while performing their duties. 'Today, we pay tribute to our heroic police officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while protecting our communities,' said Gov. JB Pritzker. 'From Palatine to Chicago to Granite City, our honorees saved lives and offered comfort and support to countless others. 'While we will never be able to repay their bravery in full, we hope that this recognition can serve as a public reminder of our gratitude and a symbol of the sincere reverence we hold them in,' the governor said. Brendan F. Kelly, who heads the state police, said the recipients were being recognized for their outstanding examples of courage. 'These men and women faced extreme danger, remained brave in the face of imminent threats, and performed with the highest heroism,' he said. 'Today and forever, we thank and honor them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
