Chicago Police Memorial Foundation - Officer of the Month

May Officer of the Month: James Schodlter

Tracy O'Reilly — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:19:41 +0000

This incident occurred on a Saturday morning, February 15, 1992 at approximately 8:57am. I monitored a call from dispatch to one of the beat cars, regarding a hold-up alarm at the currency exchange store on the 5900 block of North Clark Street.

Officer of the Month - April 2012: P.O. Vincent Jamison

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:58:48 +0000

I am a police officer with the Chicago Police Department and have more than 10 years of experience in law enforcement. I have served as a patrol officer and gang officer with special details to the Area 5 Robbery Mission Team and Targeted Response Unit.

I previously served as a full-time firearms instructor at the Chicago Police Academy and was the lead instructor for the Chicago Police Department's 40-hour Patrol Rifle Operator Certification Course.

In 2010, I took a short hiatus from law enforcement and served a one-year contract overseas in Afghanistan with a major Department of State private security contractor company.

Officer of the Month - March 2012: P.O. Geoffrey L. Woitel

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:52:40 +0000

After reading these stories of heroism and acts of bravery, I am truly honored and humbled to be named as the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's Officer of the Month. There are many other officers that deserve this recognition so much more than I do.

I was born and raised in Oak Park, attended St. Giles grade school, Fenwick High School and am the first in my family to have a law enforcement career. After taking one Criminal Justice class at Triton College I decided that there was no other career for me. I then transferred to Western Illinois University in order to achieve my Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.

I began my career in law enforcement working for the Cook County Sheriff's Department of Corrections in 1997 and was hired by the Chicago Police Department in 2000, where I was assigned to the 015th District. While in 015, I worked 3rd watch and tactical and gang teams. I quickly realized that the officers in 015 are truly some of the best police I have ever met and had the pleasure of working with. In 2008, I was detailed to the Training Academy where I worked at the Tactical Training Unit at Near North High School and the Firearms Training Unit. In June of 2011, my detail was canceled and I was sent back to the 015th District.

Officer of the Month - February 2012: P.O. Kimberly Oppedisano and P.O. Stephen Gregory

John Gordon — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:09:25 +0000

On January 3, 2012, Officers Kimberly Oppedisano and Stephen Gregory conducted a traffic stop while working beat 2563B in the 025th District. During this traffic stop, the front seat passenger was observed to be in possession of a handgun. This individual, Edguardo Colon, was very concerned about the unlawful use of a weapon (UUW) felon charges and stated he would cooperate in order to receive a lesser sentence. Sgt. Mateo Mojica and the arresting officers then brought Colon to the Area 5 detective division. After endless hours of interviewing, Colon told of his involvement in the slaying of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis. Colon also named the other offenders involved in the crime.

While countless individuals worked around the clock to bring the murderers of Officer Lewis to justice, it was the traffic stop and the superb police work conducted by these two hard-working officers that ultimately broke this case wide open.

P.O. Kimberly Oppedisano

Officer Oppedisano was born an raised on the northwest side of Chicago. She graduated from Resurrection High School and joined the Chicago Police Department in 2004. She was recently detailed to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit after spending her entire police career in the 025th District.

P.O. Stephen Gregory

Officer Gregory was born and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee. He graduated from Lebanon High School and joined the Chicago Police Department in 2000. P.O. Gregory has also been detailed to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit after spending his entire police career in the 025th District.

Officer of the Month - January 2012: P.O. Jenelyn Figueroa and P.O. Grace Nowak

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:54:00 +0000

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.

Officer of the Month - December 2011: P.O. Brian R. Alaniz

John Gordon — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:28:00 +0000

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.

Officer of the Month - November 2011: P.O. Jeffrey Friedlieb and P.O. Ruben Delvalle

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:42:00 +0000

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.

Officer of the Month - October 2011: Sgt. Kevin M. Connors

John Gordon — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:16:00 +0000

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.

Officer of the Month - September 2011: P.O. Christopher Elliott

John Gordon — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:36:00 +0000

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.

Officer of the Month - August 2011: Robert Kellam

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:34:00 +0000

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.