This years National Peace Officers Memorial Service begins on Tuesday, 13 May 08 thru Friday, 16 May 08. If you are interested in attending this years ceremonies honoring all Fallen Officers contact Preventive Programs, Unit 132 at 5-5823 or Pax 0304 for more information. A packet will be sent that will help officers with hotel, transportation and event participation over the fourday service. Hotel rooms go fast, it is imperative you act soon.
The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), sponsor of the 14th annual TOP COPS awards, has selected three officers for the Chicago Police Department to receive the prestigious TOP COPS Award. The TOP COPS Awards pay tribute to law enforcement officers from across the country for outstanding service to their communities during the preceding year. NAPO is a national law enforcement group that fights for the rights of law enforcement officers through federal legislation, legal advocacy and education.
This year, Lieutenant Joseph Gorman, Sergeant James Sanchez and Detective Gregory Jacobson of the Chicago Police Department's Narcotics and Gangs Investigation Section (NAGIS) will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. at 1900 hours, on Saturday, 12 May 2007, at the Warner Theater. These officers worked together as a team to conduct an investigation into violence and retaliation of two rival gangs over territory to sell narcotics in 2006.
After 6 weeks of masterful surveillance and reconnaissance work, NAGIS had enough hard evidence to launch a full-scale investigation against these gangs. The investigation involved 25 police officers, detectives and sergeants, and spanned three 24-hour shifts. At the end of this intense investigation, the NAGIS team prevented a retaliation killing, saving the life of an innocent victim, and took violent gang members off the streets.
Thanks to these men, who put their lives on the line, innocent citizens were protected from highly volatile and violent criminals.
"I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Narcotics and Gang Investigation Section of the Chicago Police Department," said Gorman. "I have often said that every second counts in the decision making process of a police officer. Gangs, guns and drugs are claiming the lives of innocent victims every day and there was no doubt, based upon the information gang intelligence was able to obtain through wiretaps, that these murderers meant business and were willing to compromise an innocent victim's life to execute their murder plot against rival gang members. We saved lives that day, and more importantly, sent a message to the streets that gang violence will not be tolerated."
The Master of Ceremony for the 2007 TOP COPS Awards is John Walsh, host of Fox's America's Most Wanted.
Once again, Joseph Gorman, Gregory Jacobson and James R. Sanchez will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., at the Warner Theatre.
Job well done.
May 15, 2007 will mark the 26th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. The Memorial walls already bear the names of over 17,000 officers who have given their lives. The memorial this year will add the names of about 150 officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2006. Our own Officer Eric Solario, who was killed in February of 2006, will also have his name added to the memorial wall.
This year's memorial, held in Washington D.C. is another sobering reminder of the true price police sometimes pay in service to others.
If you are unable to attend, remember to keep the families of all of those whose names will appear on the "Roll Call of Heroes" wall in your prayers.
For complete information on this event, click the document below.
Be Safe.
