Ms. Ann Hart has proudly served the Illinois State Police for more than 37 years as a telecommunications professional. She is an exceptional employee who has earned the respect of sworn officers, peers and subordinates.  Ms. Hart consistently maintains her personal composure and professional demeanor during high stress situations.  She is a knowledgeable employee and is well versed in her job duties as well as Department policies and procedures.  She possesses the knowledge to handle work of the most complex nature. 

In April 2014, Ms. Hart, who was assigned to District 10 Radio, volunteered to work in District 8 to assist with telecommunicator staffing levels.  While detailed to Peoria, Ms. Hart frequently worked alone regardless of sworn staffing levels or activities. One evening she was the sole telecommunicator for several patrol officers.  Over the radio an officer announced “shots-fired, several victims.” Ms. Hart handled this emergency while simultaneously managing radio traffic from the other officers.  She had only been working in District 8 a month when this incident occurred.

Another example of Ms. Hart’s professional demeanor during high stress situations occurred on December 10, 2014, while she was off duty. Ms. Hart was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 47 when she witnessed a vehicle driving erratically. She observed the vehicle crash into another vehicle, leave the scene of the crash, and stop a short time later.  Ms. Hart called 911, summoning police and an ambulance. With no regard for her safety, she reached into the offending vehicle and removed the keys. She discovered the driver was unconscious and not breathing. She opened the driver’s airway finding a weak pulse. Ms. Hart and a responding officer were later forced to move the driver from the vehicle to administer CPR until the ambulance arrived.

Forensic Scientist of the Year, Dr. Kimberly Kunkler

Dr. Kimberly Kunkler is a Forensic Scientist in the Trace Chemistry section at the Springfield Forensic Science Laboratory.  Her dedication, integrity, leadership, and pride are demonstrated by her quality work and unwavering commitment to serve criminal justice agencies statewide. Dr. Kunkler is proficient in all four Trace Chemistry forensic sub-disciplines; arson, explosives, glass and paint. In 2014, as in previous years, she distinguished herself as one of the top casework-producing scientists in the Trace Chemistry section. More importantly, her work is consistently thorough and of the highest quality.

Dr. Kunkler demonstrated leadership within the Trace Chemistry section by consistently advancing the analytical and informational capabilities of that section.  She provided extensive technical advice and assistance in validating a new instrument that enhances the ability of scientists to discriminate between glass samples submitted as evidence in criminal cases. In addition to her normal casework, Dr. Kunkler performed various tasks for the statewide Quality Assurance Program and the Trace Chemistry Command Advisory Board which helped ensure the section maintains compliance with stringent quality standards. Her versatility and extensive knowledge of trace chemistry makes her a valuable asset to the ISP.  

Dr. Kunkler generously serves the community through her active involvement in the “Expand Your Horizons” Career Fair at Lincoln Land Community College. This event is geared toward middle school girls interested in science and mathematics careers.  She also mentored local high school science students who were entered in a forensic science themed Science Olympiad Competition; sharing her time, knowledge and experience to help prepare them for a challenging statewide competition. Dr. Kunkler also continued her association with the Illinois State Fire Marshal K9 Training Program by preparing samples and training aids to support the recertification of arson K9 teams.     

Medal for Honor

The Medal for Honor is awarded to Illinois State Police personnel who perform a heroic act that, by its nature, results in saving a life, preventing a serious crime, or apprehending a person who committed a serious crime. 

The eligible act, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Medal for Valor, must nevertheless have been accomplished with distinction. 

This year’s recipients:

Lieutenant William D. Sons, Zone 7

Sergeant Michael J. Belford, District 22

Sergeant W. Chad Brown, Zone 7

Special Agent Alicia K. Barr, Zone 7

Trooper Jason D. Blessing, District 19

Trooper Shane C. Pettigrew, District 13

Trooper Sharleen S. Seas, District 16

Trooper Wesley S. Van Hook, District 22

Trooper Brian Wilson, District 13

 

Achievement Medal

Awarded to Illinois State Police personnel performing an outstanding act, or acts, that results in improved administration or operation, substantial savings in labor or operational costs, greatly enhances the mission of the ISP, or brings great credit to the Department. The act or acts must be because of performance beyond the requirements of the normal work assignment.

This year’s recipients:

Colonel Marc R. Maton, Retired

Colonel Kelly J. Walter, Division of Administration

Captain Felix Canizares, Division of Administration

Captain Matthew J. Davis, Division of Forensic Services

Captain Patrick J. Murphy, Division of Administration

Lieutenant Darrin E. Clark, District 9

Master Sergeant M. Jennifer Radosevic, Division of Administration

Master Sergeant John C. Thompson, Office of the Director

Trooper Jose I. DeAvila, District of Chicago

Bureau Chief James A. Blakely, Division of Administration

Bureau Chief Jessica L. Trame, Division of Administration

Assistant Bureau Chief Darrin A. Turner, Division of Administration

Ms. Suzanne L. Bond, Office of the Director

Mr. Relu I. Jianu, Division of Administration

 

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart Medal is presented to Illinois State Police personnel who, while in the performance of enforcement duties, are seriously injured or killed while encountering deadly force or “other actions” causing serious, life threatening injuries or death. 

This year’s recipients:

Trooper Douglas J. Balder, District 15

Trooper Michael S. Cokins, District 15

Trooper Nathan P. Shanks, Division of Operations, SOCOM

 

Lifesaving Medal

The Lifesaving Medal is awarded to Illinois State Police personnel who perform actions or who apply techniques that result in saving or sustaining a human life. 

This year’s recipients:

Trooper Kevin D. Dardugno, District 15

Trooper Sharleen S. Seas, District 16

Telecommunicator Specialist Jeanne D. Lewis, Division of Administration

 

Director’s Award of Distinction

The Director’s Award of Distinction may be presented to any individual, agency, or group outside the Illinois State Police who gave extraordinary support and assistance to accomplish the goals of the Department.

This year’s recipients:

Officer Samuel G. Aguirre, Aurora Police Department

Special Agent Ron Bratcher, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Officer David A. Brian, Aurora Police Department

Sheriff Timothy Brown, Alexander County Sheriff’s Department

Officer Cody Collins, Altamont Police Department

Captain Dave Dover, Alexander County Sheriff’s Department

Corporal Darren Feldkamp, Effingham County Sheriff’s Department

Mr. Ronald Hamson, Dahlgren, Illinois

Officer Brian A. Hester, Aurora Police Department

Mr. James Holland, Mason, Illinois

Officer Doug Holman, Altamont Police Department

Mr. Todd J. Ingebritson, Benton City, Missouri

Ms. Deborah K. Kramm, Whittington, Illinois

Mr. Chad A. Mitsdarffer, Enfield Illinois

Chief Deputy Burl Pickett, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department

Mr. Jason Shelton, Ledbetter, Kentucky

Mr. Jacob A. Williams, Auburn, Illinois

 

Meritorious Service Medal

Awarded to ISP personnel who have made truly outstanding achievements contributing to the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the Department by consistently performing their duties with outstanding skill, diligence, productivity, judgement, and responsibility.

This year’s recipients:

Laboratory Director Stephen E. Avedisian, Division of Forensic Services

Assistant Laboratory Director Steven D. Klingaman, Division of Forensic Services

 

Officer of the Year Award

Officers nominated for the ISP Officer of the Year Award must display a combination of the following qualifications and characteristics: outstanding contribution in the area of assignment; valor in the line of duty; exceptional knowledge and ability to complete job functions; overall productivity; civic contributions; and professional appearance and demeanor. 

Officer of the Year nominees:

Division of Administration

Sergeant Craig A. Nolan, Firearms Services Bureau

 

Division of Forensic Services

Trooper Ray E. Sutton, Crime Scene Services Command

 

Division of Internal Investigation

Special Agent Kimberly A. Hart, Southern Command             

 

Division of Operations

Special Agent Phillip W. Taylor, Medical Fraud Control Bureau

Special Agent Krista N. Thien, Zone 1

Special Agent Tyrone L. Moore, Zone 2

Special Agent Jorge Fonseca, Zone 3

Special Agent Brian T. Hayes, Zone 4

Special Agent Chad C. Dumonceaux, Zone 5

Special Agent Patrick R. McGuire, Zone 6

Special Agent Alicia K. Barr, Zone 7

Trooper Jeffrey A. Meisenheimer, District 1

Trooper Ricardo Zarate, District 5

Trooper Ryan M. Albin, District 6

Trooper Edwin D. Shamblin, District 7

Trooper Aaron R. Derubeis, District 8

Trooper Elijah R. Adams, District 9

Trooper Tracy J. Lillard, District 10

Trooper Scott M. Becker, District 11

Trooper Ronald L. Will, District 12

Trooper Jeremy M. Wynn, District 13

Trooper Cory J. Fox, District 14

Trooper Douglas J. Balder, District 15

Trooper Sharleen S. Seas, District 16

Trooper Michael J. Kasprak, District 17

Trooper Gregory A. Brunnworth, District 18

Trooper Adam C. Zimmerman, District 19

Trooper Matthew R. Poulter, District 20

Trooper Ryan R. Wilson, District 21

Trooper Bridget R. Rice, District 22

Trooper Jose I. Deavila, District Chicago

 

Telecommunicator of the Year Award