Stickney Police Chief James Sassetti (from left), Corporal Brian Kelliher, Corporal Mitchell Hattan, Sergeant Ashley McDonald, and Deputy Chief Mark Kozelka at the Nov. 6 village board meeting. (Photo by Carol McGowan)
Stickney promotes first female police sergeant, 2 corporals
Three officers from the Stickney Police Department were promoted at the Nov. 6 Stickney Board of Trustees meeting.
The board approved Police Chief James Sassetti’s promotion recommendations unanimously.
Before a full boardroom of family, fellow officers, and residents, Ashley McDonald, Brian Kelliher, and Mitchell Hattan were elevated in rank.
McDonald, previously a watch commander, was promoted to sergeant. The promotion fills a vacancy left by the retirement of Sgt. Frank Figueroa. McDonald, who joined the department in July 2012, became the village’s first female watch commander in March and has expressed a strong commitment to Stickney and its community.
“I chose Stickney over other departments because I saw a village where residents truly cared about their community,” McDonald previously told Desplaines Valley News. “I wanted to make a positive change and strengthen community bonds.” She also hopes to inspire future female officers to advance in their careers.
Sassetti praised McDonald’s promotion, calling it well-deserved. “Cmdr. McDonald has shown outstanding leadership and dedication. We are proud of her accomplishments as the first female supervisor in our department’s history and look forward to her continued career progression.”
Officers Brian Kelliher and Mitchell Hattan were promoted to corporal. Kelliher, a former Illinois State Police officer, has acted as second-in-charge on the day shift, demonstrating strong leadership, according to Sassetti. Hattan, formerly with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, also brings valuable experience and has been a capable acting supervisor.
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