Officer of the Month

On 05 June 2011, Officers Jenelyn Figueroa and Grace Nowak responded to a Burglary in Progress call at 2050 W. Monroe.  Upon arrival the Officers observed a male/black dragging a female by the hair in the gangway.  Officers Figueroa and Nowak announced their office and the offender let go of the woman and ran towards the alley. The Officers chased the offender into the alley where the offender's vehicle was parked.  The offender entered a small SUV and began to start the vehicle.  In an effort to prevent the offender's escape, Officer Nowak stepped up on the running board of the vehicle before the offender could close the driver's side door.

Officer Figueroa entered the offender's vehicle through the unlocked passenger side door. The offender started the vehicle and began moving with Officer Nowak on the running board between the open door and the door frame of the vehicle.  The offender turned the steering wheel toward the brick wall of the building immediately next to the alley pinning Officer Nowak. Officer Figueroa with total disregard for her own safety began struggling with the offender while trying to turn off the ignition.  Officer Figueroa ordered the offender to stop numerous times.  The offender refused to stop and stated that he was going to kill both Officers. At this time, without hesitation, Officer Figueroa drew her weapon and again ordered the offender to stop.  The offender refused to comply and Officer Figueroa discharged her weapon striking the offender several times. Officer Nowak was able to get out from between the door and frame and building.  Officer Nowak knowing that her partner was still inside the moving vehicle and fearing for her partner's safety discharged her weapon in the direction of the vehicle causing it to stop. The offender who was shot several times was still combative and had to physically be restrained in order to be placed into custody. 

Brian Alaniz was born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago and attended Brother Rice High School.  After years of working in the trades, Brian became a Chicago police officer.  He started his career ten years ago in the 010th district where he worked as a patrol officer and later on a gang team.  Brian left this district briefly to work with a unit, but eventually returned to 010. 

On 31 OCT 10 Brian was working a beat car in the 010th district.  After monitoring a chase on the radio that began in the 011th district, Brian and his partner met the chase at I-55 and Damen where the vehicle had crashed.  As Brian attempted to extract the rear passenger of the van he was shot. An ambulance was dispatched and he was transported to Stroger Hospital via the CFD.

To other officers who may find themselves in a similar situation, Brian recommends being transported to the hospital in a squad car.  The ambulance that was dispatched took 12 minutes to arrive and did not administer any first aid on the way to the hospital.  Brian feels very lucky as the wound was only millimeters from his femoral artery.  Without the help of his fellow officers on scene controlling and slowing down the bleeding, doctors stated that the outcome would have been fatal.

Jeffrey Friedlieb was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago.  He attended St. Tarcissus School, graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 2000, and briefly attended the University of Iowa.  In 2003, Friedlieb enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served his time as a M1A1 Tank Crewman.  Shortly after enlisting, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq where he took part in the Battle of Fallujah in November of 2004.  In July 2007, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant from the Marine Corps, and immediately started his career with the Chicago Police Department.  With his father, Detective Jeffrey Friedlieb, and his uncle, Captain Fred Friedlieb, both having served the Chicago Police Department, he knew his career choice from childhood.  After graduating from the Academy in December 2007, Friedlieb was assigned to the 011th District where he is still currently assigned.

Ruben Delvalle grew up on the North side of Chicago.  Shortly after graduating from high school, he decided to enlist into the United States Marine Corps, where he spent 4 years in the Marine Corps Infantry.  Delvalle was stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA, and also had the opportunity to travel and train in other countries such as Korea, Japan and the Philippines.  In 2004, his unit received orders to Iraq, where he served a combat tour.  After returning home, he worked several jobs before deciding to take the Chicago Police entrance exam. In April of 2008, Delvalle entered the academy, and after successfully completing his training, was assigned to the 015th District.  There, he gained a great deal of knowledge and experience from veteran officers, and was reassigned to the 016th District.  Bouncing around from the Area 5 Saturation Team and a short stay on the Area 5 Midnight Tact Team, he landed in the 011th District.

Sergeant Kevin Connors is a 12 year veteran of the Chicago Police department. His career started in the 006th district as a beat officer then he spent 7 years on the tact team. He has been working in the 008th district since being promoted to sergeant 2 years ago.

The bright men and women who become Chicago police officers make the choice every day to enter into unknown situations and provide assistance to the citizens of this great city.  For Officer Christopher Elliott, to serve the community and protect those who are momentarily helpless was a primary reason to put on the uniform of a Chicago police officer. Officer Elliott served four years in the United States Coast Guard, and is presently serving in the Chicago Police Shakespeare 014th District station.

As an 11-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, Bob Kellam has been awarded the Lifesaving Award for saving a young mother and child from a burning building.  He has received five Department Commendations and more than 75 Honorable Mentions. On a daily basis, he works the streets of Chicago’s 009th District as a Tactical Officer. Bob played soccer growing up and in college at the University of Illinois – Springfield. He also started the Chicago Police soccer team seven years ago, which participates in local and national charity matches raising funds for organizations throughout North America. Using his love of soccer, Bob created K.I.C.K.S. (Keeping Inner City Kids Safe) as a healthy and safe alternative for local at-risk youth. K.I.C.K.S. provides free soccer clinics for inner city children in conjunction with community policing events, providing an opportunity for children to play soccer and interact with local police officers. 

Bob was recently selected by Major League Soccer (MLS) to be a Community MVP.  One Community MVP was chosen to represent each MLS club and will be recognized for their outstanding dedication and commitment to making a difference and improving their local communities.

Band of Brothers

Although I greatly appreciate being recognized and selected Police Officer of the Month by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. I feel that others deserve this award far more than I do. The brave police officers, living or deceased, who continue the struggle against the forces of evil, have earned this award far more than my poor power to add or detract from it. Accordingly, I accept this award in their honor.

I grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood on 18th and Wood Streets. Shortly after graduating from high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After a 4 year tour, which included a year in Iraq during the invasion, I returned home.  I held down several jobs before deciding to take the Chicago Police entrance exam.  I successfully completed the exam and began my training at the Academy on April 16, 2010.

Near the end of my training, I was returning home one day after working in the 006th District.  While driving on the Stevenson Expressway, I happened to witness an accident.  A woman lost control of her car after another driver suddenly merged into her lane.  The victim’s car hit the cement wall, but managed to pull off the expressway and into the emergency lane.  I immediately called 911, reported the accident, parked my car and got out to check the well being of all parties involved.  The female victim was shaken, but indicated that she wasn’t hurt.  Sometime during this exchange, I was struck from behind by another vehicle on the expressway. 

A South-sider my entire life, I was born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood and grew up in a police family.  At a very young age I knew that I wanted to join the police force like my father.

Following a four year stint in the U.S. Navy, I took the entrance exam for the Chicago Police Department and was accepted at the Police Academy on 04 March 1985. In July of that year, I was assigned to my old neighborhood, Englewood, where I was placed on Captain Joe Mullen’s watch.  I was very fortunate because Captain Joe treated us like we were his sons.  He always looked out for us and I will never forget having worked for him.  After spending sixteen years in the 007th District, I transferred to the Public Housing Section (Ida B. Wells).  I would spend three years there before becoming an evidence technician.