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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate  Michael P. Trafton on the 
4occasion of his retirement as Chief of the Joliet Police 
5Department after 28 years of dedicated service; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Michael Trafton grew up in Mokena and is a 
7graduate of Lincoln Way Central High School; he earned his 
8Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice 
9Administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 
101985; he has attended various police-related management 
11courses, including Managing Criminal Investigations in 1987 
12and Supervision of Police Personnel in 2002; he also graduated 
13from Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School 
14of Police Staff and Command in 2004; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, After a college internship with the Will County 
16Sheriff's Department, Michael Trafton began his career with the 
17Joliet Police Department as a patrol officer in 1985; he was 
18promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004, lieutenant in 2008, 
19commander in 2008, deputy chief in 2009, and chief in 2011; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Throughout his long and distinguished career, 
21Michael Trafton has served the Department in various 
22capacities, including as a field training officer, canine 
 
 
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1officer, tactical officer, crisis negotiator, Special Services 
2officer, supervisor of the Department's Neighborhood Response 
3Team and Joliet Narcotics Unit, and Operations commander; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Michael Trafton has served as President, Vice 
5President, and board member of the Joliet Fraternal Order of 
6Police Lodge 58 and Board Member and Secretary of the Fraternal 
7Order of Police Labor Committee; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Michael Trafton has received many awards from the 
9Joliet Police Department for his outstanding performance, as 
10well as numerous letters of appreciation from citizens and 
11civic groups; in 1992, he was awarded the Exchange Club of 
12Joliet's Officer of the Year Award; in 1993, he was awarded the 
13Officer of the Year Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Michael Trafton and his wife, Melissa, have 3 
15children, Katherine, Alexandria, and Nicole; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Michael Trafton serves as a model of hard work, 
17integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of 
18Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
20NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
21we congratulate Chief Michael P. Trafton on the occasion of his 
 
 
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1retirement and wish him continued success and happiness in the 
2future; and be it further
  
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
4presented to Michael Trafton as a symbol of our esteem and 
5respect.