HR1139 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1139 LRB095 20670 GRL 48994 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In this time of extreme violence in the streets of the City of Chicago, crimes are occurring that have shocked even the most hardened and desensitized members of the public, not to mention those who are engaged in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, As we in the legislature are daily confronted with the monumental task of finding solutions to these horrendous crimes that seem to become more heinous each day, we in the government are more aware and dependent on the work effort of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, On October 31, 2007, last Halloween night, another murder occurred in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago; as we become so accustomed to the increasing crime in our society, we can sometimes ignore circumstances of particular criminal acts; in the case of the murder of Leticia Barrera, we cannot ignore or avoid the heart breaking circumstances of her death; Leticia, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday on this Halloween, was shot in the head in front of her 3 children, ages 6, 4, and 2; sadly, she was also 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time; and

WHEREAS, Many people witnessed the shooting but several hesitated to come forward because of their fear of the gangs; it is becoming more and more apparent after each crime involving elements of gang activity that witnesses will not offer information for fear of retaliation and reprisals; and

WHEREAS, After months of work by detectives and police and with the help from the community, the Chicago Police Department announced a break in the case; Orlando Avila, an 18 year old and an alleged Latin Saint Gang member, was charged with Barrera's murder; and

WHEREAS, Although some tips came early in the investigation, key leads came after officers took to the streets; Officer Eric Wier displayed a relentless pursuit of justice in this case by investigating every lead, gaining the trust of the community, and refusing to let the murder be forgotten; Detectives Luis Otero and Joaquin Mendoza went block by block in the neighborhood, even working on their days off, and worked with residents to identify witnesses; eventually, those witnesses helped police identify the suspects; and

WHEREAS, Through the steadfast police work of Officer Eric Weir and Detectives Luis Otero and Joaquin Mendoza, and under the leadership of 9th District Commander Eugene Roy, the crime was solved and the perpetrator was brought to justice; if not for these law enforcement professionals, with their energy, compassion, and unrelenting commitment to bring closure to this case, the crime would have probably gone unsolved; and

WHEREAS, These three police officers represent the very best of what the citizens of Chicago could expect from their police department; these men, having been inspired and driven by the most unfortunate image of the victim's three young children, witnessing the homicide while dressed in their Halloween costumes, can be certain that those images will forever sustain in their memory and fuel their continued commitment to their sworn duty and service to the citizens of Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate, commend, and thank Officer Eric Wier, Detective Luis Otero, and Detective Joaquin Mendoza for their continuing zeal for police work and genuine concern for their fellow human beings in our society; we further offer our sincere condolences to the family and children of Leticia Barrera, and hope for their swift recovery from the grief of their horrific loss and experience; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Officer Eric Wier and Detectives Luis Otero and Joaquin Mendoza as a symbol of our respect and esteem.