HR0448 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0448 LRB103 34810 LAW 64665 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Deputy Chief Jesse Gonzalez on the occasion of his retirement from the Village of Gurnee Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Gonzalez joined the Gurnee Police Department as a patrol officer in 1988; his unwavering commitment and exceptional work ethic quickly propelled him through the ranks, earning him a position as a member of the Entry Team with the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) in 1992 for seven years; during this time, he responded to hostage/barricade incidents, high-risk warrant services, and major crime scene searches; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Deputy Chief Gonzalez began serving as a detective within the Gurnee Police Investigations Division, where he served for 19 years and solved many complicated cases, including bank robberies, kidnappings, sexual assaults, armed robberies, shootings, and other heinous crimes; he simultaneously served with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force from 2001 to 2012, working on over 120 Lake County cases, including homicides, officer-involved shootings, kidnapping, and in-custody deaths; he was designated as commander of the task force from 2011 to 2012, showcasing his unyielding dedication to solving complex cases, leading teams, and upholding justice; and

WHEREAS, In November 2014, Deputy Chief Gonzalez took on the role of commander of Investigations; his strategic thinking, dedication, and relentless pursuit of justice defined his tenure, setting the stage for even greater responsibilities; in October 2018, he was appointed acting deputy chief of Operations, showcasing his ability to oversee complex operations with expertise; his commitment to this role led to his promotion to deputy chief in May 2019; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Gurnee Police Department, Deputy Chief Gonzalez also mentored new officers as a field training officer, shared knowledge as an instructor of the Rapid Deployment training program, and oversaw Rapid Deployment; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Gonzalez's exceptional achievements were met with numerous unit citations, letters of recognition, and letters of commendation; among his many accolades, he was named the Exchange Club Policeman of the Year in 1994, the Pioneer Press Best of the Best of Lake County Officer in 1997, and the Gurnee Officer of the Year in 1994 and 2004; he also received the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Law Enforcement Award from the Lake County Advocacy Center in 2009 and the Crime Response Pillar Award in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Gonzalez's remarkable, 35-year law enforcement career with the Gurnee Police Department has left an indelible mark on our community and beyond, making him the longest-serving police officer in the department's history; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Deputy Chief Jesse Gonzalez on his retirement from the Village of Gurnee Police Department, and we express our gratitude for his service, leadership, and the lasting impact he has made on the Village of Gurnee and the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Deputy Chief Gonzalez as an expression of our esteem and respect.