Argo Community High School District 217 honored its School Resource Officer, Michael Snee, for his bravery and quick action during a shooting in Summit this summer.
The recognition came at the Sept. 25 board meeting, where Vice President Catherine Jozwiak honored him before a crowd of administrators, board members and residents. She praised his lifesaving response and thanked him for his service to Argo’s students and families.
On July 4, Snee responded to a call involving a gunshot victim in Summit. He and other officers found the man critically injured and began trauma care immediately. Police later said the wound likely would have been fatal without that intervention. The victim was transported to Loyola Hospital, where he was stabilized.
This was the second time Snee has been credited with saving a life while on duty. On Sept. 15, the Village of Summit presented him with the Life Saving Award for his efforts.
Snee’s wife, Carla, and daughters, Brooklyn, 11, and Camilla, 9, joined him at the ceremony and posed for photos. Colleagues from the Summit Police Department attended the ceremony.
Snee thanked those who support him on the job and at home. “I want to say thank you to Officer Antoine, he’s been with me the whole time,” Snee said.
“Everything we’ve done in this school, we’ve done together, he is everything that I am not sometimes when it comes to dealing with the kids.”
He also recognized his department’s leadership and family’s support. “I’ve got all the people who have been with me throughout the almost nine years that I’ve been here.”
Turning to his family, Snee shared a personal memory.
“I actually met Carla here at Argo when I was 14, on the second floor. I remember it.”
“And my kids – you guys are awesome,” Snee added, “I love this community, I plan on staying here until I retire,we truly believe in the strength that everyone has here. I love the Argo staff, and I’m just happy that you let me be here and have that community service that we all ask for out of police officers.”
The district shared the recognition on Facebook, writing in part: “Argo Community High School is truly fortunate to have an officer of this caliber working with our students and staff each day, keeping our campus safe, and serving as a role model of courage and service. His dedication is truly commendable, and we are proud to call him part of our Argo family.”
What if moments like this—public recognition for quiet heroism—remind us that the deepest impact in education often happens not in the spotlight, but in the split-second choices that protect and affirm a student’s life?
dce