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Oak Park honors long-serving employees; police department recognizes officer injured in 2021
Summary
The Village of Oak Park presented employee service awards at 5-, 10-, 25- and 35-year intervals and the police department recognized an officer whose 2021 on-duty shooting injury led to retirement and continued public service.
At the start of its meeting the Village Board of Oak Park set aside time to recognize municipal employees for milestone service and to honor a police officer’s retirement following an on-duty injury.
Village Manager Kevin Jackson led the ceremonies and thanked employees and their families for public service. Jackson and staff presented certificates to employees in 5-, 10-, 25- and 35-year categories. Names read from the agenda included Alejandro Flores (police department), Kathleen Jacob (Development Services), Kimberly McFarland (Adjudication), Kira Chang (Human Resources), Angela Williams (police), Michael Lambert (police), Robert Sprow (Public Works), Gia Bennett (finance), John Nickishner (police), Deodor Smith (police), Derek Burge (police), Dustin Choi (police), Mary Avinger (Human Resources) and Ken Crowley (Public Works) for 35 years. Manager Jackson noted many employees began their service just before or during the pandemic and thanked staff who helped stage the recognition.
The Board then heard a police retirement recognition. Chief Shetanya Johnson invited Deputy Chief Dave Jacobson to describe an April 8, 2021 incident in which an officer was shot while conducting a traffic stop. Jacobson summarized the department account: a domestic-disturbance call led officers to identify a vehicle; when the driver stopped, the occupant opened fire and struck the Oak Park officer twice. Jacobson said the offender fired 14 rounds; Oak Park officer returned fire, struck the offender in the leg, and the exchange ended the immediate threat. Forest Park officers assisted with lifesaving measures and transported the wounded Oak Park officer to Loyola Medical Center. Jacobson described awards the department later presented in recognition of the officer’s actions.
Chief Johnson and others recognized the officer and his family; the officer acknowledged village staff and colleagues and spoke about service and resilience. In remarks to the board he reflected on his 16 years with the department, his recovery and subsequent work speaking to wounded officers about resilience. Chief Johnson presented a retirement badge to the officer in recognition of his service.
The recognitions were ceremonial and no board action was required.
