13 officers awarded Law Enforcement Medal of Honor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Today Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials and representatives from other law enforcement agencies gathered in Springfield to recognize officers who showed courage and heroism while facing dangerous situations.

"These 13 honorees indeed exemplify the very finest of all law enforcement officers serving within the state of Illinois," said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to these brave and dedicated officers and all officers working throughout the state."

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The officers celebrated were:

Belvidere Police Department: Officer Joseph W. Danielak, Officer David G. Ellingson, Officer Christopher R. Garcia, Officer Joseph M. McDermott, Officer Dillon R. Rackley, Officer Zachary C. Reese, and Officer Mark R. Weiland.

On March 31, 2023, a tornado struck the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, causing the 3rd floor roof to collapse onto a crowd of people who were inside attending a concert. These Belvidere officers arrived on scene and immediately joined in the search and rescue operation, pulling multiple patrons from the rubble.

Chicago Police Department: Officer Reynol Cuéllar De La Cruz, Officer Maximo Mora, and Officer Julio Zavala

On October 7, 2023, these Chicago Police officers were riding together in a squad car, responding to a call of a “person shot” and a fleeing suspect vehicle. As the officers’ squad car approached the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect swerved into the squad car, striking it head-on. All three officers suffered extensive injuries that required lengthy recoveries. Assisting officers were able to take all the suspects into custody and recover multiple firearms.

Illinois State Police: Trooper Timothy W. Harper and Sergeant Boguslaw H. Kramarz

On May 9, 2023, Trooper Harper stopped to assist a vehicle on Interstate 64 in Jefferson County. The two occupants falsely identified themselves multiple times and Sergeant Kramarz arrived as back-up. Officers determined the male suspect had an active warrant for a firearms offense, and the officers attempted to take him into custody. The suspect violently resisted the officers attempts before producing a firearm and shooting Sergeant Kramarz in the head. Trooper Harper returned fire, ending the threat, and then rendered aid to Sergeant Kramarz.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Andrew T. Martini

On October 18, 2023, Lake County dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a woman who stated her husband had attempted to kill himself with a knife and needed medical attention. Deputy Martini arrived on scene and attempted to provide medical aid to the injured suspect when the suspect suddenly grabbed a knife and attacked Deputy Martini. The Deputy retreated and began to direct the family to safety when the suspect advanced on them again. Deputy Martini fired at the suspect to stop the threat, and then provided aid to the man until paramedics arrived.

"We ask so much of our law enforcement officers across our state, to wake up each and every day and put their lives on the line to protect all of us," said Pritzker. "They're tasked with keeping the peace, providing us comfort in our hardest moments, rescuing children and families from danger, putting all their skills to work in the most intense and difficult moments of people's lives. Those we honor today have not only met the extraordinary obligations of their oath of office, but gone above and beyond the call of duty."

Officials also held a moment of recognition for law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty this year.