FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
GURNEE, IL –- Seventeen Gurnee Police Officers were recognized for their traffic enforcement efforts at the Village Board meeting Monday, May 17, 2010. Several officers received multiple awards which were presented by Chief Robert Jones and Mayor Kristina Kovarik.
Five officers received the department’s DUI Enforcement Award for making a minimum of 20 DUI arrests in 2009. The five officers receiving the award were Kirk Helgesen (24 arrests, 1st award), Jason Kalinowski (21 arrests, 1st award), Phil Mazur (20 arrests, 8th award), J. R. Nauseda (23 arrests, 1st award), and Dion Snyder (30 arrests, 3rd award).
Eleven officers were recognized by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for their career DUI arrests by reaching cumulative totals of 25, 50, 75, 100,200, 300, 400 and 500 arrests since 2001. Officers Nauseda and Snyder received the “100 DUI” pin. Officer Bill Stashkiw received the “75 DUI” pin. Sergeant David Farrow received the “50 DUI” pin. The following officers received the “25 DUI” pin: Matt Baumann, David Bertaud, Kirk Helgesen, Jason Kalinowski, Matt Nietfeldt, Dan Pacheco and Tom Woodruff.
The Gurnee Police Department Traffic Enforcement Award is issued to those officers who demonstrate dedication to traffic safety by leading the department in both speed enforcement and occupant restraint enforcement. The following officers received the Traffic Enforcement Award for 2009: Dana Dingman (1st award), Brian Funke (1st award), Kirk Helgesen (1st award), Jason Kalinowski (1st award), Jim Lazaro (3rd award), Phil Mazur (4th award), Carol McClanathan (1st award), Ben Munji (1st award), Dion Snyder (5th award), Bill Stashkiw (5th ward), and Tom Woodruff (4th award).
Traffic safety is a very important aspect of the Gurnee Police Department mission. Dedicated enforcement of traffic laws is an important part of the overall traffic safety campaign. These officers were recognized for their actions or achievements that went above and beyond standard duties. They are to be commended for helping to make the roadways in Gurnee safer for the residents and the motoring public.