HR0936 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0936 LRB095 18880 GRL 45023 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Joliet police officer Richard Trafton on the occasion of being the recipient of the Exchange Club of Joliet's Police Officer of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, Officer Richard Trafton is a 13-year veteran with the Joliet Police Department; and

WHEREAS, On the date of June 14, 2007, Joliet Police Officer Michael Sheridan was approached by an individual who stated that another subject had stabbed him and attempted to stab his baby in a nearby apartment building; Officer Richard Trafton, along with Officers Smyth and Sova, arrived as backup for Officer Sheridan; Officers Trafton, Sheridan, and Smyth entered the front of the apartment building while Officer Sova secured the rear of the building; and

WHEREAS, Upon entering the building, Officers Trafton, Sheridan, and Smyth found the subject squatting on a second floor landing with his hands not visible; after Officer Sheridan ordered the subject to show his hands, the subject rose to his feet and shuffled toward Officer Sheridan, stabbing him twice with a concealed knife he was carrying; Officer Trafton, in a act of extreme bravery, pulled Officer Sheridan away from the subject and fired one round at the subject; after handing Officer Sheridan to Officer Smyth, Officer Trafton ordered the subject to drop the knife; the subject regained his balance and attempted to attack the officers, at which point Officer Trafton was forced to fire a second round at the subject, fatally wounding him; and

WHEREAS, Due to the extreme bravery and quick thinking of Officer Richard Trafton, a fellow officer's life was saved and a dangerous subject was prevented from causing further harm to the citizens of the City of Joliet; such acts are indicative of Officer Trafton's intense dedication and loyalty to the safety and well-being of his fellow man; and

WHEREAS, On February 19, 2008, Officer Richard Trafton will be presented with the Police Officer of the Year award by the Exchange Club of Joliet for his years of dedicated service in a ceremony in his honor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Officer Richard Trafton on the occasion of being the recipient of the Police Officer of the Year award and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard Trafton as a symbol of our esteem and respect.