Kankakee police honor four officers for life‑saving response to Feb. 23 shooting

KANKAKEE, Ill. — The Kankakee City Council on Monday recognized four police officers for life‑saving actions after a Feb. 23 shooting.

Sergeant Samuel Bugowski and Officers Jana Brooks, David Mullen and Christopher McCarter were commended for responding to a shot‑spotter alert near the 700 block on Feb. 23, locating a 25‑year‑old gunshot victim and administering immediate trauma care until medical personnel arrived.

According to the commendation read at the meeting, Officer McCarter provided a tourniquet that was quickly applied by Officer Mullen. Officer Brooks identified additional wounds that required compression bandages and chest seals; Sergeant Bugowski and Officer McCarter retrieved and applied chest seals. The officers also secured the scene for investigators.

A Police Department representative read the written commendation to council, saying, “Your actions exemplify true dedication to duty and display the highest level of professionalism.” The representative praised the officers’ composure and coordination under pressure.

The City also presented the officers with certificates and a commemorative pin that reads “You made a difference.” Kevin Bernard, director of Trauma Operations at St. Mary’s Hospital, was introduced at the meeting and acknowledged as a partner in law enforcement medical response.

Ending: The council’s recognition highlighted coordination between officers and local medical partners in a critical incident. No legal or policy measures were enacted as part of the presentation.