SR1607 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1607 LRB099 20887 MST 45668 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Salvatore "Sal" Pisano of Peoria, who passed away on February 20, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano was born in Brooklyn, New York to Thomas and Millie (Ionadi) Pisano on May 15, 1931; he moved to Peoria with his family at the age of six and attended Peoria parochial grade and high schools; he enlisted in the United States Army in 1950, serving for three years during the Korean War; he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class; he married Bernardine Marme in Peoria on September 3, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano joined the Peoria Police Department in February of 1954 and served for 32 years; he began his career as a patrolman, achieving the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, and was the first Deputy Chief of Police; he was appointed Chief of Police in 1980; he attended the U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection School in Washington, D.C. and many other training seminars and special courses; he was a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, the Northwestern Traffic Institute, and the Senior Management Institute for Police; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano served in the Peoria Police Benevolent Association, holding many offices, including President for seven years; he also served as State Officer in the Policemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois and was director of youth camps for many years, sending needy boys and girls to summer camp; he held other offices, including being elected to four terms as President; during his service with the association, he was also Legislative Chairman and assisted in drafting and passing "The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Act", which called for mandatory training for all law enforcement officers and was signed into law by Governor Otto Kerner; he was later appointed to the board, where he was the first police officer from Peoria and the Tri-County area to serve as Chairman; he was very instrumental in establishing the I.C.C. and the Peoria County Jail as regional training facilities; and

WHEREAS, During his career in law enforcement, Salvatore Pisano received many honors and awards; in 1958, he was named Policeman of the Year and also received the American Legion Award for outstanding service; he received a commendation from former Peoria Mayors Richard Neumiller and Richard Carver, and the Peoria City Council for bravery; the Director of the FBI, John Edgar Hoover, honored him for his assistance and bravery in apprehending a suspect during a Peoria area bank robbery; during his tenure as Chief of the Peoria Police Department, he and the department were honored by John R. Simpson, Director of the U.S. Secret Service - the first in history of the Peoria Police Department; he was also honored by the Chicago Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund for his role in establishing legislation to support families of officers killed in the line of duty; he was honored by Superintendent Fred Rice of the Chicago Police Department, other police departments in the State, and by three governors, including Governor James R. Thompson, Governor Richard J. Oglesby, and Governor Dan Walker, for distinguished service to the people of the State; he was honored by the Peoria County Chiefs of Police Association, the Peoria Police Department, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Board; upon his retirement, Governor James Thompson appointed him to the Illinois Parole and Pardon Board, where he became the first police officer from the Tri-County Area to be appointed and serve as a member of that board; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Spalding Council 427, Third Degree and Fourth Degree Spalding Assembly 206; he was also a member of Alhambra, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and its Men's Club, the Policemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Illinois, and the Peoria Police Benevolent Association; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano was an avid golfer for many years whose personal approach to the game and competition with teammates and adversaries often included eloquent verbal expressions in victory and defeat; his unique use of the English language will be the source of many 19th hole conversations for many years to come; he was an employee and fixture at the Peoria Park District Golf Learning Center, where he "ran the place" and held court for nearly 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano was preceded in death by his wife, Bernardine; his parents; his brother, Joe Pisano; his sister, Mary Sharp; and his daughter, Sallie Ann Pisano; and

WHEREAS, Salvatore Pisano is survived by his two sons, Tony (Ginny) and Dominic (Noelle Natale Pisano); his daughter, Annette (Jon) Gisi; his three grandsons, Michael (Kahla Abney), Mario (Jessica), and Nicholas Pisano; his granddaughter, Nicole (Tom) Elder; his two step-grandchildren, Michael and Anthony Natale; his great-grandchild, Vivian Kae Pisano; his twin great-grandchildren expected this summer to Tom and Nicole Elder; his brother, Nick; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Salvatore "Sal" Pisano, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Salvatore Pisano as an expression of our deepest sympathy.