Page 48 - November 2018

C D f cers honored for ravery heroism and courage
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Every day across the City, Chicago Police Officers commit he- roic acts of varying shapes and sizes, but some are so significant that they deserve the highest levels of recognition.
In October, the Illinois State Police, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation each expressed their ap- preciation for the on-the-job acts by CPD Officers that exempli- fied the best of the best in service to citizens and fellow officers. Illinois State Police Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
Among a group of 25 officers from around state, 11 Chicago Police Officers received the Illinois State Police Law Enforce- ment Medal of Honor during a ceremony held in Springfield.
The award is given out every other year to law enforcement of- ficers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty or who have displayed exceptional bravery or heroism while per- forming their duties.
Chicago’s honorees were Sgt. David Benitez, Det. Anthony Babicz, Det. Brendan Bruno, Det. Jason Streeper and Officers Ar- turo Bracho, Antonio Herrera, Alejandro Lagunas, Eddie Okon, Gerardo Rivera, Juan Rivera and Eugenio Tirado Jr.
Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz described it as his privilege to bestow the award on the “courageous” officers.
“The officers honored displayed acts of bravery and distinc- tion as they unselfishly risked their safety to protect others,” he said.
Carter Harrison Award
At an Oct. 10 ceremony, Officers George Moussa and Veronica Murillo received the City of Chicago’s prestigious Carter Harri- son Award, which is given to Police Officers or firefighters for exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty.
In October 2016, Murillo responded to a report of a car that had driven into a liquor store. The driver, a convicted felon who was high on PCP, severely beat and threw Murillo to the ground. Acting on Murillo’s call for assistance, Moussa and other officers arrived to find the man continuing his attack on her and were able to restrain the offender.
Murillo was hospitalized for several weeks with injuries to her neck and head. She continues to recover a year later and has not returned to work.
The Carter Harrison and Lambert Tree medals were estab- lished in 1885 by the Chicago City Council to recognize the ac- tions of select members of the Chicago fire and police depart-
48 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2017
m b C
A t S
H H
w w t
i a