Daley, Weis Honor 15 Chicago Police Officers
CHICAGO (STMW) - A police detective who noticed a pattern of more than two dozen armed robberies and stopped that suspected robber at his last crime was one of 15 officers honored -- two posthumously -- on Tuesday in recognition of outstanding valor.
Mayor Daley and Police Supt. Jody Weis awarded the 2010 Lambert Tree Medal to Det. Dominick Ciccola, according to a police release. Special Honorable Mentions were given to 14 officers during the City of Chicago Awards Ceremony on Tuesday morning.
While reviewing recent crime statistics, Ciccola noticed a pattern in which an offender, armed with a handgun, was robbing gas stations. This included 25 reported robberies in the city and suburbs. Ciccola, assigned to the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, requested that the task force become involved.
The next morning, Ciccola and his FBI partner began touring the area of the robberies in a covert vehicle, according to the release. After an hour, Ciccola observed a white van paying special attention to a gas station and matching the description of the offender's vehicle.
The pair set up surveillance a short distance away and while watching the station, Ciccola observed the offender emerge from the alley on foot wearing a white surgical mask, as the offender had worn in previous robberies. The offender advanced toward the station and drew a handgun from his waistband as he entered.
Ciccola exited his vehicle and requested backup. He and his partner positioned themselves outside of the station, in which the man had displayed a black handgun and announced a robbery.
As he fled, Ciccola shouted "Police" numerous times at the armed robber. The robber raised his weapon and leveled it toward Ciccola and his partner, but Ciccola fired first, striking the suspect, who died from his wounds.
Ciccola, the release said, exhibited exceptional calmness and bravery when faced with imminent death during an armed robbery, the release said.
The awards ceremony also recognized the heroic acts of Officers Christopher L. Davis, Brian D. Gaffney, Robert A. Ontiveros, Robert J. McGee, Darin L. Macon, Sean M. Lewis, Ricky Rivera, Adis Klincevic, Tony Ramirez, Thomas E. Olsen and Ryan M. Delaney, and Sgt. Michael G. O'Malley
Officer and Alejandro Valadez and Sgt. Alan J. Haymaker received posthumous honors.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
