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North Chicago recognizes firefighter and police awardees and swears in new officers
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the North Chicago City Council and guest speakers honored the Fire Department’s 2024 Firefighter of the Year, sworn in new fire and police personnel and presented the Police Department’s Officer of the Year award.
North Chicago honored members of its fire and police departments on March 17, presenting the North Chicago Fire Department’s 2024 Firefighter of the Year award to Firefighter Thomas Williams, swearing in newly promoted and newly hired fire personnel, and presenting the Police Department’s Officer of the Year award to Officer Steve Roberts.
The recognition began during the Exchange Club of North Chicago presentation. Stella, secretary of the Exchange Club of North Chicago, introduced the group’s mission and presented a plaque naming Thomas Williams “North Chicago Fire Department 2024 Firefighter of the Year” for “outstanding service to the citizens of our community.”
In remarks before the presentation, Mayor Rockingham thanked the city’s first responders and urged the audience to recognize the risks they take. “These men and women serve our community day in, day out, 365 days a year,” Rockingham said.
Fire Chief (name not provided in the record) read a statement listing Williams’s hire date (10/22/2023) and certifications, and said Williams “is dedicated to the city of North Chicago and is an extremely valued member of the fire department and very deserving of this award.” The same speaker also introduced Lieutenant Brian Sheehan, who was sworn in and described as hired on 06/26/2017 and certified as an arson investigator and public information officer. The swearing-in oath for Sheehan and subsequently for the new firefighters and police officers followed the customary municipal oath to “support the Constitution of the United States” and local ordinances.
Later in the meeting, Police Department staff introduced Officer Steve Roberts as the department’s Officer of the Year, noting his service since 1985 and his work mentoring new officers and handling juvenile matters. A department representative said Roberts received roughly 90% of the nominations for officer of the year and that Roberts “has the respect of the troops.”
After the formal recognitions and swearing-in, the mayor invited family members and staff to photos and refreshments at the fire department.
Why it matters: The presentations formalize promotions and awards and put new public-safety personnel into active service; the ceremony also served as public recognition of staff qualifications and departmental succession.
