Riverwoods police report arrest tied to 2020 investigation, recognize officers for de‑escalation

Police Chief Archie updated the board on two public‑safety items: recognition of officers for a successful de‑escalation and an update in a long‑running investigation.

Chief Archie said two officers were recognized for spending time to de‑escalate a call involving a veteran suffering from post‑traumatic stress and for connecting the person to social‑service support. "They effectively spent time deescalating the situation," the chief said, adding the officers declined public naming out of privacy concerns.

On a separate matter, the chief said Riverwoods officers assisted Bellingham, Washington, police on Dec. 3 in executing an arrest in a case that began in May 2020 after a possible discovery of human remains in the 800 block of Robinwood Lane. The chief said the arrest is related to charges including concealment of death, abuse of a corpse and an offense related to a missing child under 13. "After a protracted investigation, we were able to determine who the mother was and that's who we arrested," the chief said. He described the case as ongoing and asked anyone with information to call the department’s nonemergency number or his direct line; he also provided an email listed on the department’s public contact page.

Trustees thanked officers for their service and noted recent welfare checks that had reassured residents.