Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: JUNE 2016 29 T wo brave cops with the Chicago Police Department have been awarded the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s “Officer of the Month” award. On the evening of Septem- ber 28, 2015, shots rang out in the violence-plagued south side of Chicago. Officer Michael Modzelewski and then-Officer John Conneely responded to a drive-by shooting that left five people with gunshot wounds. The officers were immedi- ately met by a woman car- rying an 11-month-old child with a wound on his side. Chicago Police Depart- ment protocol states that officers should wait for an ambulance to take victims to a hospital, but when Of- ficers Conneely and Mod- zelewski radioed for one, they were told nothing was available – all ambulances in the area were en route to other scenes. The officers felt they had no choice but to violate the protocol and take the child to the nearest trauma hospital immediately. “I don’t think that there’s training out there that can prepare you for something of this magnitude,” Officer Modzelewski said. Officer Modzelewski se- cured the crying infant in the back of their patrol car while continuing to apply pressure Chicago P.D. heroes: Sergeant John Conneely (left) and Officer Michael Modzelewski. to the wound. Officer Con- neely drove several miles to the hospital while staying in constant radio contact with dispatch. In addition, he informed his sergeant of the crime scene details. While en route, the officers were able to notify the hospi- tal of the child’s wounds, cur- rent condition and estimated arrival time. “It’s a situation where you don’t know if you’re going to make the right decision,” Of- ficer Modzelewski said, “but your instincts kick in and you act humanely and try to save a life.” The child survived the shooting and emergency room doctors credited the officers with saving his life with their decision-making and communications skills. Unfortunately, the infant’s pregnant mother and grand- mother were shot and killed during the drive-by. Officers Conneely and Modzelewski were not dis- ciplined for their actions. “I think at the end of the day, we knew in our hearts that we made the right decision,” Officer Conneely said. A strong spirit transcends rules. – Prince Heroes broke the rules Heroes broke the rules Run for the Badge Saturday, October 15 |Washington, DC Join us for a 5K Run and Walk in honor of our law enforcement heroes on October 15, 2016, in Washington, DC. Help us support law enforcement officers by registering today to run, walk, or participate virtually. Formerly the Ride & Run to Remember, the Run for the Badge will begin and end at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which benefits from the proceeds of this fundraising event. RegisterToday www.RunfortheBadge.org