The Life-Saving medal was awarded to Officers Kerry Kelly-Valen (left) and Dave Hansen (right) for their efforts which resulted in the saving of a life. (Supplied photo)
By Dermot Connolly
The Committee of the Whole meeting held prior to last week’s village board meeting began with an Orland Park Police Department awards ceremony, the first time it was held at a public event like that.
The ceremony began with Dave O’Connor, chairman of the village Police and Fire Commission, swearing in two new police officers, Ryan Barth and Tyler Lindren. He and Chief Joe Mitchell also conducted the swearing in and pinning ceremonies of several veteran members of the force promoted to new positions. These included Scott Shuster and John Swenson promoted from officer to sergeant; Kenneth Rosinski promoted from lieutenant to commander of investigations; and Eric Rossi, promoted from commander of investigations to deputy chief.
Other officers and a civilian were also presented with various awards for heroic actions. The complete ceremony can be viewed along with the full meeting on YouTube.
“I have been a part of the fire and police commission for some 22 years. We have been able to recruit extraordinary candidates,” said O’Connor, crediting the police for “doing extraordinary things on a daily basis.”
“I am awed every day how you go toward trouble every day,” said Mayor Keith Pekau, crediting the entire department for statistics that showed the village last year had the lowest crime levels since 1994.