SR1342 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1342 LRB099 16046 MST 40366 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph John "Joe" Groom of Aurora, who passed away on December 9, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Joe Groom was born in Aurora on May 21, 1965; he graduated from Marmion Academy in 1983; he earned an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Waubonsee Community College and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Law Enforcement Administration and History; and

WHEREAS, Joe Groom worked for the past 26 years as a member of the Aurora Police Department, rising through the ranks to Commander; during his career, he worked in Patrol, the DARE program, NABS (the precursor to Community Oriented Policing), Firearms Instruction, Field Training, Special Operations, Planning and Research, Special Response Team, and the Office of Professional Standards; his most recent position was Investigation Division Commander, encompassing Investigations, Special Operations (Gangs and Vice), Domestic Violence Reduction, and Evidence Units; he was also instrumental in the construction of the new police headquarters that was completed in 2010; he was a member of both the International and Illinois Associations of Chiefs of Police; the Chiefs Associations in Kane, DuPage, and Kendall Counties; the Kane County DUI Task Force; the Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Committee; and the Aurora Police Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Joe Groom was a current board member and past President of the Exchange Club of Aurora and the current Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 736; he served 2 terms as a Resource Council Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kane and Kendall Counties; he volunteered regularly at church and also volunteered with the Salvation Army and coached 8th grade girls basketball at Annunciation School with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Joe Groom enjoyed playing catch, attending sporting events, band concerts, playing games, reading books, attending mass, and being with his family; and

WHEREAS, Joe Groom is survived by his wife, Kimberly; his father, James; his mother, Dorothy; his brothers, Phillip, Kevin, Jeffrey, Christopher, Peter, Matthew, Patrick, and Paul; his sisters, Marguerite, Sarah, and Anne; his children, Luke, Katelyn, Gabriel, and Seth; and his 20 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 Joseph John "Joe" Groom, 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 Joe Groom as an expression of our deepest sympathy.