Chicago Ridge detective honored for saving man’s life 

By Dermot Connolly 

The Chicago Ridge Village Board and Police Department recently honored Detective David Jenen for likely saving a suicidal man’s life and probably others.

At the March 1 Village Board meeting, Mayor Chuck Tokar read the details of what happened from a report prepared by Police Chief Jim Jarolimek.

He said that on Monday, Feb. 21, the Crestwood Police Department received a call reporting a possibly armed suicidal person inside a residence.

Chicago Ridge Mayor Chuck Tokar (right) presents retiring firefighter Jeff Babcock with the traditional watch at the March 1 Village Board meeting. Babcock, who has served in numerous roles during his nearly 30-year career with the fire department, will remain as public education officer.

“It was then confirmed that the subject was armed with a handgun, made suicidal threats and stated that if police attempted to enter his residence, they would be fired upon,” said Tokar.

The mayor said Jenen went to the scene when Crestwood police requested assistance from surrounding agencies, and after learning the details of the situation he realized that he knew the man involved and had prior dealings with him.

After getting permission from the incident commander to try to talk the person into surrendering peacefully, Jenen called the man. After nearly an hour of negotiating with him, the detective was able to convince the man to leave his gun in his residence and surrender. He was then taken into custody and hospitalized without incident.  Police later recovered a loaded handgun from the residence.

“I wanted everyone to be aware of this. I want him to know how much we appreciate what he did. We are super proud of you,” said Tokar, as he shook hands with Jenen. The detective, who then made his way around the dais, receiving congratulations from the other board members individually.

“It really was excellent work,” said Jarolimek, who presented Jenen with a copy of the report, as well as the Chicago Ridge Police Department’s Life Saving Award for “playing an instrumental role in diffusing an extremely volatile and dangerous situation.”

Jarolimek noted that the whole team of investigators that Jenen belongs to deserve praise as well for the recent apprehension of suspects wanted for multiple gas station robberies in the village.

At the same Village Board meeting, Tokar presented retiring firefighter Jeff Babcock with the traditional firefighter’s watch.

“Jeff has served in a multitude of positions over a nearly 30-year career—especially as education officer. All the students in the local schools know him,” said Tokar.

“He will only be semi-retired or quasi-retired,” joked Tokar, noting that Babcock has agreed to continue in his role as education officer, teaching fire safety at schools and elsewhere.