HR0116 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0116 LRB096 11401 KXB 22170 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Joliet Police Officer James Schnura for receiving the Officer of the Year Award from the Exchange Club of Joliet; and

WHEREAS, On April 11, 2008, Officer Schnura responded to a domestic disturbance call; the suspect had left the scene so Officer Schnura began working on his report after moving his squad car down the street to keep a watch over the victim's residence; and

WHEREAS, During the completion of his report and as Officer Schnura received a dispatch that the suspect had returned, he noticed the suspect chasing the victim down the street with a knife in his hand; and

WHEREAS, Officer Schnura left his car, drew his gun, and gave commands to the suspect in both English and Spanish to drop the knife; without acknowledgement of his commands by the suspect, Officer Schnura repeated his commands to drop the knife at least four more times; and

WHEREAS, Believing that the suspect was going to kill the victim as he moved the knife across her throat while crouching on the ground behind her, Officer Schnura fired one round at the suspect, striking him; and

WHEREAS, Though wounded, the suspect retained the knife and prepared to drive the knife into the victim's neck; again fearing for the victim's life, Officer Schnura fired two more shots, mortally wounding the suspect and freeing the victim from the vicious attack; and

WHEREAS, The victim was later interviewed and told detectives that she believed she would have died if not for the intervention of Officer Schnura; and

WHEREAS, The Exchange Club of Joliet selected Officer Schnura for his bravery and protection of the community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Officer James Schnura and wish him the best for the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Joliet Police Officer James Schnura as a symbol of our respect and esteem.