PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 22, No. 21, June 4, 2003

Officer of the Year and other awards presented by public safety

By Sharita Forrest, Assistant Editor
(217) 244-1072; slforres@illinois.edu

Christopher Burke was honored as UI's Police Officer of the Year during an April 29 reception hosted by the Division of Public Safety at Levis Faculty Center.

Burke’s outstanding knowledge of procedures, statutes and policies has made him a resource for his colleagues, and he represents the department admirably with his ingenuity and professionalism, according to the citation. Burke also was commended for his computer proficiency, which he has used to develop the division’s Web site, to resolve computer harassment cases and to assist other officers with their computer problems. Burke, who joined the department in 1997, was nominated for the award in 2001 as well.

"Officer Burke consistently demonstrates a positive approach toward his work," Capt. Kris Fitzpatrick said. "He is always willing to go above and beyond for both his co-workers and the citizens he serves."

The Lifesaving Award was presented to officers Douglas Beckman and Jody Huffman for administering CPR to an usher who collapsed at Assembly Hall on Jan. 26, 2002.

Excellence in Community Policing Awards were presented to officers Aaron Fredrick, Tony Micele and Barb Robbins. Fredrick and Micele were honored for their innovative investigative work that led to the apprehension of a suspect who had vandalized MTD buses, bus shelters and campus-area property between September 2001 and March 2002. Robbins was commended for the service and support she has provided to staff members of the Housing Division, which included developing a newsletter for resident advisers and delivering presentations on safety and crime issues.

Other awards presented at the ceremony:

• Merit Awards: officers Jody Huffman and Eric Vogt, for their work in the apprehension of suspects in separate violent crimes.
  
• Cecil Coleman Award: Vice Chancellor Charles Colbert, for his support of the Public Safety Division during his career at Illinois. Colbert secured funds that improved campus safety through environmental enhancements and enabled the division to increase officer staffing and acquire a mobile data-communications system.
  
• Civilian Employee of the Year Award: Sandy Soard, administrative clerk.
  Director of Public Safety Award: Maureen Banks, for chairing the Public Safety Advisory Committee for a second year.
  
• Student Patrol Officer of the Year Award: Tim Snyder.
  
• Marksmanship: first place - officers George Sandwick and Brian Tison (tie), second place – Sgt. V.G. "Skip" Frost, third place - Officer Jody Huffman.
  
• Citizen Commendations: James Goranson, Ronald Janowski, Marc Sawyer, Matthew Sinclair and Kenneth Sprague.
  
• Several officers and employees were also recognized with five-, 10- and 15-year service awards.

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