HR0116 LRB096 11401 KXB 22170 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate Joliet Police
4 Officer James Schnura for receiving the Officer of the Year
5 Award from the Exchange Club of Joliet; and
 
6     WHEREAS, On April 11, 2008, Officer Schnura responded to a
7 domestic disturbance call; the suspect had left the scene so
8 Officer Schnura began working on his report after moving his
9 squad car down the street to keep a watch over the victim's
10 residence; and
 
11     WHEREAS, During the completion of his report and as Officer
12 Schnura received a dispatch that the suspect had returned, he
13 noticed the suspect chasing the victim down the street with a
14 knife in his hand; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Officer Schnura left his car, drew his gun, and
16 gave commands to the suspect in both English and Spanish to
17 drop the knife; without acknowledgement of his commands by the
18 suspect, Officer Schnura repeated his commands to drop the
19 knife at least four more times; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Believing that the suspect was going to kill the
21 victim as he moved the knife across her throat while crouching

 

 

HR0116 - 2 - LRB096 11401 KXB 22170 r

1 on the ground behind her, Officer Schnura fired one round at
2 the suspect, striking him; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Though wounded, the suspect retained the knife and
4 prepared to drive the knife into the victim's neck; again
5 fearing for the victim's life, Officer Schnura fired two more
6 shots, mortally wounding the suspect and freeing the victim
7 from the vicious attack; and
 
8     WHEREAS, The victim was later interviewed and told
9 detectives that she believed she would have died if not for the
10 intervention of Officer Schnura; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Exchange Club of Joliet selected Officer
12 Schnura for his bravery and protection of the community;
13 therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
16 congratulate Officer James Schnura and wish him the best for
17 the future; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to Joliet Police Officer James Schnura as a symbol of
20 our respect and esteem.