HR0914 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0914 LRB094 19556 HSS 55632 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Citizens of our State who place themselves in harm's way to protect the public are worthy of recognition; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that Oak Lawn Police Chief Robert V. Smith, Jr., is retiring from his position after 32 years of protecting and serving the citizens of Oak Lawn; his distinguished career has included countless successful law enforcement operations that helped protect his community; and

WHEREAS, Chief Smith, a fourth-generation police officer, began his career with the Oak Lawn Police Department in 1974 as a patrol officer; in the detective division from 1980 until 2002, he served as acting sergeant, sergeant, lieutenant, and as chief of detectives; he began his term as Chief of Police in 2002; and

WHEREAS, He has earned many honors during his time on the force, including a Citation of Merits from the V.F.W., the Medal of Honor from the Cook County Sheriff, FBI Recognition, the United States Secret Service Award, 23 Meritorious Service Awards, 37 Department Honorable Mentions, the Police Officer of the Year Award in 1982, and the Drug Enforcement Administrators Award; and

WHEREAS, He valiantly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971; he holds a bachelor's degree in criminal social justice from Lewis University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy; he also has an Associate in Applied Science from Daley Community College, and he attended Moraine Valley Community College as well; he graduated from Bogan High School in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, His dedication and commitment of the full resources of the Oak Lawn Police Department during the Jesse Quintanilla investigation in 1998 and the pseudoephedrine investigations in 2001-2003 enabled the DEA, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and other law enforcement agencies to successfully investigate, prosecute, and convict many of the area's most significant narcotic traffickers; he was officially recognized by the DEA and by U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald for his support of such investigations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Oak Lawn Police Chief Robert V. Smith, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement, and we express our sincere gratitude for his willingness to serve his community and our State for the past 32 years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Chief Smith as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.