Page 26 - February 2016

JANUARY 2016 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH
Distinguished Service Award
Police Officer Ivy Maldonado, Star 16310 Police Officer Stephen Findysz, Star 17730 Police Officer Enrique Garcia, Jr., Star 6758 Police Officer Patrick McGrath, Star 7197 Police Officer Jennifer Swain, Star 5043 Police Officer Anthony Richards, Star 17316 Police Officer Manuel Naanep, Star 7158 Police Officer Demetris Aslan, Star 17904 Police Officer Gary Orlowski, Star 6406 Police Officer Charleene Rusiecka, Star 16110 Police Officer Norma Vega, Star 15472 Sergeant David Kowakski, Star 1038
On Aug. 31, 2013, Police Officers Charleene Rusiecka and Ivy Maldonado observed a vehicle matching the description of one involved in an armed robbery in which a person was shot. Upon curbing the vehicle, an offender (a self-admitted Latin King), who was sitting in the back seat behind the driver and who matched the description of the shooter in the robbery, fled the vehicle on foot.
With the assistance of Canine Officers Patrick McGrath, Jennifer Swain and now-Retired Gary Orlowski, Officer Rusiecka and Sergeant David Kowalski were able to locate the offender in a yard close by. At that time, the offender displayed a weapon to the Officers, who then in fear for lives, discharged their weapons. The offender then fled down an alley.
Officer Rusiecka and Sergeant Kowalski discovered the offender hiding under a porch of a nearby house and took him into custody, transported him to the hos- pital for treatment of a gunshot wound to his arm, then took him to the 17th Dis- trict for processing.
It is with great appreciation that the Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7, presents Police Officer Ivy Maldonado, Police Officer Stephen Find- ysz, Police Officer Enrique Garcia, Jr., Canine Officer Patrick McGrath, Canine Officer Jennifer Swain, Police Officer Anthony Richards, Police Officer Manuel Naanep, Police Officer Demetris Aslan, Retired Canine Officer Gary Orlowski, Police Officer Charleene Rusiecka, Sergeant David Kowalski and Police Officer Norma Vega with Distinguished Service Awards. d
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2016
Lifesaving Award
Police Officer Daniel Vazquez, Star 11852 Police Officer Jose Valdovinos, Star 11820
At 11:45 p.m., Aug. 31, 2015, Police Officers Daniel Vazquez and Jose Valdovinos smelled a strong odor of smoke in the vicinity of 28th Street and Trumbull. They investigated and noticed smoke coming from a nearby rooftop. The officers immediately requested Chicago Fire Department and began attempting to alert residents by knocking on windows, to no avail. Vazquez and Valdovinos jumped the fence and began knocking on windows again. After a few more minutes, and with the smoke thickening, they were able to rouse an elderly woman, the owner of the building, who was very confused.
With fire alarms going off, Officers Vazquez and Valdovinos gained entry to the house and asked the woman if anyone else was in the home. She replied that her husband was in the room, but could not stand on his own because of recent surgery. The officers imme- diately picked up the husband, placed him in his wheelchair and led both occupants to safety.
Due to the quick and valiant actions of Officer Daniel Vazquez and Jose Valdovinos, and with no thought of their own safety, a tragedy was avoided and surely the lives of two senior citizens were saved.
It is with great appreciation that the Fra- ternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge 7, presents Officer Daniel Vazquez and Jose Valdovinos with Lifesaving Awards.