Page 39 - November 2015

Emerald Society hosts gem of a conference
The Emerald Society of Illinois host- ed the 20th Anniversary of the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emer- ald Societies (NCLEES) Sept. 24-26, at which more than 100 Emerald Societies from across the world met to promote the Irish culture of law enforcement officers.
Each chapter of the Emerald Society is comprised of Irish-American law enforcement officers that promote their culture through charitable endeavors and functions culminating in a National Conference that meets every year in a different host city.
The Illinois Chapter, with more than 600 members, hosted the event for the second time, and the weekend kicked off with a welcome reception at Lizzy McNeill’s featuring the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department.
“We showed our Chicago hospitality to our guests,” stated NCLEES Record- ing Secretary and Co-Chairman of the event Tom Cody. “We had people in from England, New York and San Diego, so we worked hard to make it worth their while.”
The Chicago Police Department honor guard presented the colors to open the conference. Chicago Police Officer Kenyatta Gains sang the National Anthem, which was followed by a Gaelic rendition of the Irish National Anthem from a Minnesota representative.
Joe Ahern, CEO of the 100 Club of Chicago, and Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director Phil Cline – both members of the Emerald Society of Illinois – were guest speak- ers.
“Both (Ahern and Cline) are past recipients of the Irishman of the Year Award and they run wonderful organi- zations,” confirmed Emerald Society of Illinois President Kevin Myron. “They are big supporters of ours and we like to support anything that helps the families of fallen officers.”
The fall meeting culminated in accepting nominations for National Police Officer of the Year, an award that will be announced at the NCLEES’s annual meeting during Police Week in Washington D.C. in May 2016.
The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies Recording Secretary and Past President of the Emerald Society of Illinois Thomas Cody (right) shows off his 2015 Irishman of the Year Award.
Emerald Society of Illinois Police Officer of the Year Oak Lawn Sergeant Edward Clay, second from left, with President Kevin Myron (left) and 100 Club of Chicago CEO Joe Ahern (far right) at the Awards Dinner.
Emerald Society of Illinois Life Saving Award Winners Oak Lawn Officer Brian Carlson and Oak Lawn Sergeant David Winston (holding plaques).
Emerald Society does Irish Jig for award winners
The Emerald Society of Illinois hosted its Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Night on Oct. 9 in Gaelic Park to honor Irish-American law enforcement officers for their actions and support of the organization throughout the years.
The 2015 Irishman of the Year was presented to Thomas Cody, the National Confer- ence of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies’ Recording Secretary and past President of the Illinois Chapter.
The Police Officer of the Year was awarded to Oak Lawn Sergeant Edward Clay for the “bravery, heroism and selflessness” displayed on April 26, 2014 in the evacuation assistance and rescue of residents during a building fire.
Oak Lawn Officer Brian Carlson and Oak Lawn Sergeant David Winston were pre- sented with Live Saving Awards for their assistance at the same building fire.
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