Hodgkins cites police officers for exceptional service

From staff reports

Hodgkins Police Chief Joseph Klotz presented awards to five police officers for exceptional commendations throughout the year at the December village board meeting.

The five officers were Sgt. Natassia Miller, Officer Frank White, Officer Alan Garcia, Officer Desmond Handson, and Officer Ryan Johnson.

In June, Miller and White were dispatched to a suspected drug overdose.  The victim was unconscious.

Miller administered two doses of Narcan over a period of time, and White monitored the victim’s condition until Pleasantview Fire Protection District paramedics arrived and took over treatment.

Miller and White were commended for their “calm, compassionate, and decisive response.”

Klotz said their actions demonstrate their commitment to the mission of the Hodgkins Police Department: To honorably protect life and property, and to serve all members of our community with professionalism and dedication.

In September, Garcia, Handson and Johnson were dispatched to the area of Sam’s Club to search for a missing and endangered person. The victim, who suffered from dementia and was a suicide risk, left his residence in a neighboring town earlier in the morning.

Later that morning, Garcia located the victim’s car in the AMC Quarry Theater parking lot.  Garcia made contact with the victim, who had attempted to harm himself by cutting his wrist and forearm inside the vehicle.

Johnson applied a tourniquet to the victim’s arm while Handson applied bandages.

Pleasantview Fire Protection District paramedics arrived at the scene a short time later and transported the victim to La Grange Hospital for treatment.

The three of them were commended for their actions that day.

In other action at the last board meeting of the year, the preliminary 2024 budget was approved, payment was approved to KR Tech Group LLC in the amount of $99,612.29 for tuck-pointing work that was done at the police station, to K-Five Construction Corporation in the amount of $102,972.64 for 6400 Kane Avenue Drainage Improvement, and the purchase of an administrative car in the amount of $65,000.

Also, an agreement was approved to sell 6101 and 6103 East Avenue in the amount of $400,000, and payment was approved for KLF Enterprises for $29,250.00 for the demolition of the public works building.

Village Comptroller Melody Salerno said a new Chase Bank is open where the former Lonestar Steakhouse used to be.

She said the village will look to open some accounts there, and encouraged all to go and see it.

Public Works Superintendent Jody Kovel said the village now has a new salt truck with a spreader, and a new street sweeper should be delivered in the next few weeks.

Trustee Dominic Misasi reported that Officer Nicholas Dwyer will graduate from the police academy this month.  Once he’s fully trained, the department will be fully staffed.