HR0489 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0489 LRB095 12363 GRL 37215 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Chicago Police Department Lieutenant Joseph Gorman on receiving a 2007 TOP COPS Award; and

WHEREAS, The TOP COPS Awards Ceremony was created about 14 years ago by the National Association of Police Organizations; the ceremony recognizes law enforcement officers for their selfless acts of bravery and courage; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Police Department's Narcotics and Gangs Investigation Section (NAGIS) launched an investigation due to the increase of homicides attributed to the New Breed and Vice Lords street gangs; gang violence and retaliation between the two gangs began to escalate in 2006 when both gangs attempted to increase territory to sell narcotics; under the supervision of Lieutenant Joseph Gorman of the Gang Intelligence Unit, twenty-five police officers, detectives, and sergeants were assigned to this investigation, spanning three 24-hour shifts; and

WHEREAS, On September 18, 2006, electronic surveillance orders were signed for phones belonging to high ranking members of the New Breed street gang; the phone surveillance allowed officers to determine the M.O. of several homicides and drive-by shootings linked to this violent gang conflict; on October 27, a member of the New Breed street gang was murdered while walking a ten year old girl to school; Gang Intelligence prepared for the retaliation they anticipated was imminent; and

WHEREAS, Intercepted conversations on October 30, 2006 revealed that the New Breeds were planning a calculated hit; NAGIS teams assigned to watch a stolen vehicle being used by the gang observed three offenders get into the car, armed with firearms; police surveillance revealed that two gang leaders had ordered a hit through a cell phone conversation; consequently, Lieutenant Gorman assembled his teams in covert and unmarked vehicles and prepared to follow the stolen car; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing that the hit was to be executed in a residential area near a school where children would soon be dismissed, Lieutenant Gorman ordered his units to move in and surround the stolen vehicle to avoid a potentially fatal and disastrous pursuit; he and Sgt. James Sanchez exited their vehicle and approached the suspect's vehicle, surrounding it from both sides; as the rear passenger raised an AK47 type rifle, Gorman immediately responded by firing at the offender; he then observed the driver reaching into the waistband of his pants, and ordered him to show his hands; when he failed to comply, Gorman fired several times at the driver; he also observed that the rear passenger had not released the AK47; Lt. Gorman then fired his remaining rounds and stepped back to reload; assisting officers moved forward, and after more shots were exchanged, the gunfire ceased; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the actions of Lieutenant Gorman and his team, innocent citizens were protected from highly volatile and violent criminals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Chicago Police Department Lieutenant Joseph Gorman on receiving a 2007 TOP COPS Award and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Joseph Gorman as a symbol of our esteem and respect.