SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly gathered Friday with ISP staff and their families, local law enforcement officers, and distinguished members of the public for the ISP Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony was held to recognize individuals for their significant contributions and dedication to public safety.
Among those honored was Telecommunicator Specialist Kenneth R. Parnell of the Du Quoin Communications Center.
TCS Parnell is recognized for his careful handling of an incident with a trainee who took a call about a man wielding a chainsaw toward bystanders.
The call signal was lost and then filled with static, but TCS Parnell was able to decipher that a taser had been deployed and that a trooper had requested backup.
He initiated calls to local police departments and once officers were on scene, he was able to verify the safety of the trooper.
After the situation was under control, he effectively communicated to his supervisors the details that unfolded and alerted the oncoming shift about the details of this incident.
Another highlight from TCS Parnell's award-winning year was his handling of a call where a confidential informant was battered by a suspect who was barricaded and shooting at police officers.
His professional demeanor, controlled voice, and conveyance of relevant information were integral components in helping to bring a high-risk situation under control.
Director Kelly presented individuals with the following awards: Director's Award of Distinction, Medal of Valor, Medal for Honor, Meritorious Service Medal, Achievement Medal, and Lifesaving Medal.
Each award recipient was recognized for their exemplary service to ISP and the residents of Illinois.
"ISP's greatest strength is our people - troopers, specials agents, telecommunicators, analysts, forensic scientists - and I am proud and honored to work alongside them all," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "Integrity, Service, and Pride are ISP's values and the people we are honoring today embody those values. Thank you to those who have answered the call to pursue justice and protect the public."
In addition to the awards that were presented, eight ISP employees received special recognition for exemplary service during 2023.
Special recognition was given to the ISP Officer of the Year, Trooper Sterling Ross; Special Agent of the Year, Special Agent Ola O. Abdallah; Forensic Scientist of the Year, Forensic Scientist III Jamie Edwards; and Public Safety Support Staff Member of the Year, Cheri Strode.
Below is the complete list of 2023 ISP Award recipients, you can also visit the Illinois State Police website for more on this year's honorees:
Director's Award of Distinction
Deputy Devin B. ElliotCharles T. Veatch
Medal For Valor
Sergeant Boguslaw H. KramarzSpecial Agent Christopher E. EhlersTrooper Stuart M. BaitsTrooper Alec R. McCarthyTrooper Timothy W. HarperTrooper Neil A. Kramper
Purple Heart
Sergeant Boguslaw H. KramarzTrooper Alec R. McCarthy
Medal For Honor
Master Sergeant Vincent N. MartinezTrooper Jacob M. Hoffman
Lifesaving Medal
Master Sergeant Jeffry B. GrayMaster Sergeant Mark R. FlackSergeant Gregory M. WilsonSpecial Agent Michele M. BellTrooper Thomas C. CarlockTrooper Michael W. MuellerTrooper Stanislaw SmalecTrooper Craig D. BastertTrooper Benjamin R. MontgomeryTrooper Blake C. JonesTrooper Haley C. RussoTrooper Cameron R. BoersTrooper Cesar J. EsparzaTrooper Alexander J. LeafSergeant Joshua W. KoberTrooper Abel A. FrancoTrooper Damein R. Cunnungham-WatsonTrooper Jason P. CzubTrooper Wayne S. HockingTrooper William S. Reagan Jr.
Department Commendation
Forensic Scientist III Brian F. ParrForensic Scientist III Heather E. MayForensic Scientist III Jamie L. EdwardsForensic Scientist III Angela D. NealandForensic Scientist III James E. RigginsForensic Scientist III Casey L. CravenTelecommunicator Specialist Melanie E. ClarkTelecommunicator Specialist Alexis N. DuncanTelecommunicator Specialist Kenneth R. ParnellTelecommunicator Specialist Julie R. FriendTelecommunicator Specialist Mary E. BurtonTelecommunicator Specialist Leah K. GrenobleGraphic Arts Designer Advanced James G. ChandlerExecutive Secretary II Adria A. MartinPublic Service Administrator Cheri L. StrodeSpecial Agent Zachary L. HanrattySpecial Agent Joshua P. ShirleySpecial Agent Water T. WillisSpecial Agent James K. RobinsonSpecial Agent Chad E. CarlsonSpecial Agent Ola O. AbdallahSpecial Agent Justin M. HaneySpecial Agent Rex A. RobertsSpecial Agent Antoine L. FinnerTrooper Jeremy S. MuellerTrooper Simeon L. SiudylaTrooper Hayden E. CombsTrooper Nicholas A. WhitbeckTrooper Micah C. RansomTrooper Michael R. KucharzTrooper Sterling W. RossTrooper Cameron R. BoersTrooper William P. SmithTrooper Aaron D. FrenchTrooper Stephen T. FeurerTrooper Haley C. RussoTrooper Paul A. HowardTrooper Jagger C. EllisTrooper Darrell C. Scruggs