Page 53 - August 2017

Best of the best thanks to their vests
n BY NICK SWEDBERG
Two Chicago officers who were shot at earlier this sum- mer were named Officers of the Month in July by the Chi- cago Police Memorial Fund.
Officer Joel Lopez and Officer Martin Hernandez were investigating a suspected drug deal on May 12 when one assailant opened fire. Hernandez was hit in his bullet- proof vest by a bullet.
Lopez and Hernandez were honored at a ceremony on July 11 at the Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union.
“Every Chicagoan owes these two officers a debt of gratitude,” said CPMF Executive Director Phil Cline at the ceremony. “We’re so thankful these heroes are going to be OK.”
While working in plainclothes, the two officers watched as a man and a woman made the suspected drug deal in the 4600 block of Maypole.
Hernandez gave chase after the woman grabbed her side and ran from the two officers, who suspected that she had a firearm. The woman, who was a felon on bond for aggravated assault of a police officer, turned and shot at the two officers. A handgun was recovered from the scene.
Both officers returned fire, shooting the assailant in the upper body. The officers were treated at Loyola Medical Center and released that day. The woman was charged with attempted murder.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the vest saved Her-
nandez’s life, and CPFM officials said the incident under- scores the dangers officers face on the street. That is why the organization has operated the Get Behind the Vest Program to help officers replace expired ballistic vests. To date, the program has raised more $2.2 million and re- placed more than 7,000 vests.
Incidents like the shooting of Hernandez are the moti- vation for the vest program, officials said.
“Every day, thousands of Chicago Police officers go out and put their own safety and security on the line for the communities they serve,” said Cline.d
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