| |
 |
 |
 |
|
Rosemary Mackey
(630)
293-2200 ext. 139
rmackey@westchicago.org |
City of West
Chicago
475 Main
Street
West Chicago,
Illinois 60185 |
|
|
|
|
Two West Chicago Heroes Honored
Sgt. Patrick Henning
Police Officer Joseph Stewart |
|
 |
| |
 |
|
|
| |
|
West Chicago Police Officer Joseph Stewart is pictured at left with Mayor Mike Kwasman (center) and Police Chief Donald Goncher (right) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
| |
|
Sgt. Patrick Henning surrounded by family members and Mayor Mike Kwasman. |
|
| |
|
West Chicago, Illinois: March 3, 2010 – Among the distinguished guests in attendance at Monday night’s City Council meeting in West Chicago, two local heroes, Sgt. Patrick Henning, a National Guardsman, and West Chicago Police Officer Joseph Stewart, sat poised to receive stirring commendations for valorous actions each performed in serving their country and community.
Sgt. Henning is the two-time recipient of the Bronze Star, once for Valor and once for Service. Following intensive training for the specialized field involved in learning how to locate safe landing zones for airborne airplanes, parachute drop-ins and aircraft rappelling, he was deployed for a tour in Afghanistan. During a heavy machine-gun fire situation on July 4, 2009, Sgt. Henning led efforts to aid a fellow National Guardsman who was wounded, and volunteered to return for the body of another soldier killed during an engagement. He was also recognized by the military for his work as a police mentor for the Afghan police.
Mayor Mike Kwasman, on behalf of the entire City Council, issued a proclamation citing the price that freedom can demand and Sgt. Henning’s willingness to pay that price through personal sacrifice in service for his country. USMC Reserve Lt. Col. and Milton Township Trustee Robert Larsen; Jim Zay, DuPage County Board District 6 member; and Chuck Scheckel, Chaplain for both American Legion Post 300 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791, approached the podium to offer additional praise.
Dirk Enger of DuPage County Board District 6, who formerly served in the United States Marine Corp., removed a lapel pin previously given to him by the ironworkers union and presented it to Sgt. Henning in an inspiring moment following his words at the podium. The pin was meaningfully adorned with a symbol of the twin towers which were built by the ironworkers.
Equally inspiring was the tribute to Police Officer Joseph Stewart, the officer responsible for the capture of an escaped prisoner on September 18, 2009. Chief Donald Goncher presented the account of the incidents leading up to the capture of Robert Maday, the man who escaped from Cook County States Attorney’s custody.
Armed with weapons taken from officers at the time of his escape, Maday hijacked a vehicle and proceeded to rob a bank in Bloomingdale. Officer Stewart spotted the vehicle in West Chicago and followed the escapee, confronting Maday at great personal risk to his own safety when he exited the stolen vehicle. Maday reentered his vehicle and continued his flight. The alert dispatch brought Sgt Eric Shipman and Officer Tony Reyes to Officer Stewart’s assistance. All three pursued Maday until he crashed at Route 59 and James Street, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Chief Goncher concluded the account by addressing Officer Stewart thus, “Your performance and dedication to duty is in keeping with the high standards set by the City of West Chicago and the West Chicago Police Department. Your actions reflect the skill, ability, and desire to get the job done.”
Mayor Kwasman reflected on the uncertainties that lie in wait for police men and women in the line of duty and gratefully acknowledged the daunting job they bravely perform daily in safeguarding their community.
The well attended meeting was followed by a reception for the two local heroes.
|
| |
|
|
### |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
| CITY OF WEST
CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois
60185 T - (630)
293-2200 www.westchicago.org |
| |
|
|
