Police
McCook hires a new police officer, holds Holiday Parade
By Steve Metsch McCook’s newest police officer is doing something he’s wanted to do since he was a kid. “Something I always wanted to do,” Jamie Calderon said after the village board unanimously approved his hiring at its Dec. 4 meeting. “Helping others” is why Calderon wanted to be a police officer. “Now that I…
Read MoreStickney’s K9 officer Ali comes home as Real Deal top dog
By Carol McGowan A large trophy sat on a front table at last week’s Village of Stickney regular board meeting, along with a smaller trophy in the shape of a paw. Towards the end of the meeting, Stickney Police Chief James Sassetti explained that they were given to K9 Ali that past weekend. Ali and…
Read More2 men charged in shooting of Bedford Park cop
By Bob Bong A Blue Island man was charged last week with attempted murder in the shooting of a Bedford Park police officer in the early morning hours of November 26. Raul Perez, 24, of Blue Island, was charged with one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer, one count of attempted…
Read MoreFine, community service for woman who killed man in fatal accident
Victim’s family outraged over outcome By Steve Metsch Six months after the car she was driving hit and killed Murod Kurdi, Leanne Cusack had her day in court. On Tuesday, she was found guilty of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident – the only charge against her – for the fatal June 5…
Read MoreOff-duty Chicago police officer dies in Oak Lawn crash
By Bob Bong An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed Sunday morning when a vehicle crashed into a tree at 95th Street and Harlem Avenue in Oak Lawn. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the driver as Edwin Espinoza, 35, of the 5300 block of South Merrimac Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side. Chicago…
Read MorePalos Park police cadets holiday food drive underway
The Palos Park Police Cadet program annual Holiday Food Drive is underway. The cadets are looking for donations of non-perishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods. The cadets will accept donations at the Palos Park Police Department located at 8999 W. 123rd Street. Donations are accepted through January 1. This is another way…
Read MoreBedford Park officer shot Sunday morning
By Bob Bong A Bedford Park police officer was in stable condition Sunday after he was shot while investigating a stolen car near the Speedway station at 6800 S. Archer Avenue. Police were responding to reports of a nearby car crash about 3:40 a.m. Police said a car reported stolen in a carjacking in Chicago…
Read MoreShots fired at Orland Park home
Orland Park police responded last week to a call of shots fired at a home in the 17500 block of Coronado Drive. Police said they received the call about 10:40 p.m. on November 15. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an unknown vehicle approached a residence and fired multiple rounds from a handgun into the residence…
Read MoreOrland Park community service officer injured directing traffic
An Orland Park Police Department community service officer was struck by a vehicle directing traffic Thursday night at Ashburn Baptist Church, 15401 Wolf Road, as parishioners were leaving a gospel music concert. As one of the community service officers attempted to stop traffic that was moving southbound on Wolf Road, the lead vehicle failed to…
Read MoreSummit names Ortiz as new police chief
By Carol McGowan Summit trustees last week removed the word acting from Police Chief Mel Ortiz’s title. Ortiz had been acting as chief since John Kosmowski was placed on unpaid administrative leave in May 2022 after he and former Public Works Director Bill Mundy were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly sharing a…
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