O’Fallon Public Safety Personnel Receive Awards at SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet
O’Fallon, Illinois – Mayor Gary L. Graham is pleased to announce that four members of the O’Fallon Public Safety Department received awards from the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) and the Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association (SIPCA) at the 25th Annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet on January 18, 2017.
“O’Fallon is one of the safest communities in the area because of these individuals and the rest of dedicated men and women of O’Fallon’s Public Safety Department,” said Mayor Gary Graham.
At the awards banquet, O’Fallon Public Safety Director Eric Van Hook was sworn in as the new President of the Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association.
During the banquet, the following O’Fallon employees were honored:
- Dispatcher Michelle Foster and Dispatcher Carmen Kuhl: Telecommunications Awards
- Detective Carl Walker: Certificate of Merit
- Telecommunications Supervisor Daryl Ostendorf: Blue Light Award
Michelle Foster and Carmen Kuhl received the Telecommunications Awards for their creation and implementation of a 911 awareness program they present to every second grade student in O’Fallon.
Detective Carl Walker received the Certificate of Merit for his creation of a web based solution designed to automate the sharing of details related to criminal incidents, law enforcement contacts and resources. The tool is similar to the ones used by metropolitan areas throughout the country. Using computer information sharing systems is the latest trend in crime fighting and Detective Walker’s creation has already made an impact on Metro East Law Enforcement.
Telecommunications Supervisor Daryl Ostendorf was awarded the Blue Light Award for the critical role he played in the consolidation of the Fairview Heights and O'Fallon Communications Center. His technical skills and attention to detail was instrumental in cost reduction and a smooth transition for the new joint communications center.
The purpose of the awards is to provide recognition to the men and women who work in the profession of law enforcement and who have made a significant contribution toward enhancing their profession. The awards also recognize individual citizens who have displayed acts of good citizenship by assisting law enforcement agencies in the seven counties of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington.
Pictured: Mayor Gary Graham and O’Fallon Public Safety Director Eric Van Hook.
Pictured (left to right): O’Fallon Public Safety Director Eric Van Hook, Daryl Ostendorf, Fairview Heights Police Chief Nick Gailius
Pictured (left to right): O’Fallon Public Safety Director Eric Van Hook and Detective Carl Walker
Pictured (left to right): O’Fallon Public Safety Director Eric Van Hook, Carmen Kuhl and Michelle Foster