By Joseph D. Klotz
The men and women of the Hodgkins Police Department work diligently to advance the department’s mission: To honorably protect life and property, and to serve all members of our community with professionalism and dedication. From time to time, we at the Hodgkins Police Department like to publicly recognize those officers who, in the course of their normal duties, have exemplified these values of Honor, Professionalism, and Dedication. At the regular village board meeting on October 14, the department recognized several officers for their work.
On August 15, 2024 SGT Michael Bennett, SGT Josh Heller, INV Allan Mills, and OFC Rocco Giannelli were dispatched to the Sam’s Club parking lot (9500 W. Joliet Rd) to investigate the report of a stabbing. The responding officers located the victim, who had been stabbed twice in the center of the chest and was struggling to breathe. The responding officers performed lifesaving measures on the victim, who was then transported by ambulance to Loyola Hospital.
Working together with officers from neighboring agencies as part of the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), the team was able to locate the suspect vehicle that fled the scene and stop it within an hour and a half of the incident. As a result of our officers’ quick and decisive response, and along with the cooperation and coordination of neighboring police agencies, a victim’s life was saved, and a violent offender was quickly taken into custody without incident. The offender was charged with attempted murder.
On December 27, 2023, a detective from an out-of-state sheriff’s office contacted the Hodgkins Police Department regarding a child grooming case that their department was investigating. INV Claralicia Torres methodically worked through this complex and disturbing case, conducting many interviews, writing search warrants, and sifting through large quantities of digital evidence. As a result of her persistence and dedication, an offender was charged with possession and solicitation of child pornography and grooming, and is pending prosecution.
On December 22, 2023 Hodgkins Police Department officers were dispatched to UPS to investigate the report of a stolen vehicle. INV Allan Mills discovered that this vehicle theft, along with three others that were reported during the course of the initial investigation, were linked to a group active on social media accounts commonly known for selling stolen vehicles in the Chicago area. INV Mills collected the publicly available information he found on the social media accounts linked to the stolen vehicles and obtained a search warrant for the relevant accounts. INV Mills was able to identify a suspect, who was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and four counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. His work not only helped resolve incidents in our village but also helped other departments resolve similar cases and end this motor vehicle theft ring.
All of these officers are commended for representing our department’s values and advancing its mission.
Things have also been busy for us where managing our building is concerned over the past few months. Two portions of the ongoing building renovation project have been completed. Roof replacement work was completed On October 11. Drain repairs and concrete work in the sally port garage were also completed. The floors in the sally port were treated with epoxy to help protect them from salt damage during the winter and extend their life significantly. We plan to make similar repairs to the main garage floor in 2025.
As always, the men and women of the Hodgkins Police Department appreciate the tremendous support we receive from the village. Without it, their difficult task would become impossible. ###