The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation along with our sponsor, Police Mortgage,LLC, honored Police Officers Nicolas Sanchez and Nicole Pearson as December Officers of the Month. On September 21st, our awardees observed a brown Chevy Malibu fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Jonquil Terrace and Bosworth Avenue. The Malibu pulled over and the driver exited his vehicle and began walking towards the police car. Our awardees instructed the driver to return to his vehicle. The driver disobeyed these instructions and walked towards the passenger side of the police vehicle. Officer Sanchez, who was the passenger then opened his door to exit the car, but, the offender pushed the door into Officer Sanchez’ right leg preventing him from getting out of the car.
The offender then fled on foot northbound on Bosworth while holding his waistband with his right hand. Our awardees initiated a foot chase and called for assist units. Officer Sanchez observed the suspect reach into his waistband with his right hand as he was turning west bound on Jonquil. Shortly after the offender turned the corner, Officer Sanchez was shot at by the offender. He immediately took cover and radioed a “shots fired” call. Additional assist units arrived on scene and canvassed the area at which time the suspect was discovered hiding on a third-floor stairway at 7647 N Ashland by our awardees. The handgun was recovered at 1544 W Jonquil and a spent shell casing was recovered at 1533 W Jonquil.
Upon completion of this investigation, charges against the suspect were lodged that included: Attempt Murder of a Peace Officer and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He is presently in Cook County Jail awaiting trial in a no bond status.
Thanks to our awardees’ bravery, a dangerous gang member who shot at the police was taken into custody without incident and without our awardees returning fire. It is our honor to name these officers our December Officers of the Month.
Also, Special Commendations were given to the following from OEMC : PCOII Suzanne Cassaro and Retired PCOII Kathleen Kordelewski, who coordinated the emergency response for Commander Bauer; and PCOII Keith Thornton and PCOII Patricia Bounds, who coordinated the emergency response for Officer Ella French, Officer Carlos Yanez, Jr, and Officer Josh Blas. With such dedication and commitment to duty in the face of two of the most horribly traumatic events that could be imagined, these dispatchers displayed heroic actions on these two somber days and are glowing examples of the work dispatchers do everyday. Congratulations to all.
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