SR0404 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0404 LRB102 19016 ECR 27744 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of retired Shorewood Chief of Police Robert "Bob" Paul Puleo, who passed away on June 4, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo was born to Paul and Mildred (Perino) Puleo in Joliet on June 8, 1948; he was raised in the Church of St. Anthony, graduated from Joliet Catholic High in 1966, and received his bachelor's degree in Business Management from Lewis University; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo began his career in the banking industry before joining the Shorewood Police Department part time; he later joined the Crest Hill Police Department for five years as a full-time police officer; in 1984, he was hired full time by the Shorewood Police Department, where he served as a patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant; in 1994, he was named Chief of Police and held that position for 17 years until his retirement in 2011; during his time as chief, he initiated many new programs for the benefit of his department and his community, including a police chaplain program, a bike patrol, a community policing program, the citizen's police academy, a special needs registry, a neighborhood watch, programs geared to the needs of senior citizens, and others; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo's professional accomplishments included serving as training officer, public information officer, crime prevention officer, and as the Shorewood Police Department's DARE officer; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo's professional memberships included the Illinois Association of the Chiefs of Police and the Will County Association of Chiefs of Police, where he served as president in 1999; he served the law enforcement community in a number of other capacities with the Tri River Police Training Region Advisory Board, the Western Will County Communications Center (WESCOM) Chief's Advisory Board, the Will County Emergency Telephone Safety Board, and the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo participated actively in his community as a member of the Moran A. C., Joliet Elks Lodge #296, and the American Italian Cultural Society, where he served as a member of the board; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who will be remembered for his patience in teaching, playing games, and taking time to be a part of his grandchildren's lives; he loved to fish with his sons and grandchildren and considered his summer cottage in Michigan his dream home; he was enormously proud to have his private pilot's license and had a passion for cooking; he was a talented rhythm guitar player and guitar instructor who had been a member of the bands the Knights and the Intrigues in his youth; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Bob Puleo is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Cindy (Offerman) Puleo; his three children, Robert Paul (Kelli) Puleo Jr., Anthony (Kendra) Puleo, and Gina (Zachery) Meister; his eleven grandchildren, Karli, Angelina, Dominic, Giovanni, Reese, Delaney, Emmie, and Anthony Puleo, and Giuliana, Luke, and Rowan Meister; his one sister, Virginia (Gerald) Pasteris; his one brother, Paul (Mary) Puleo; his several nieces and nephews; and his two beloved dogs who were his shadows, Gabby and Finney; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of retired Shorewood Chief of Police Robert "Bob" Paul Puleo 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 Bob Puleo as an expression of our deepest sympathy.