Westmont, Illinois – Date Issued: January 27, 2023
At the January 26 Village Board Police Public Safety Meeting, Westmont Police Chief Jim Gunther recognized several members of the Westmont Police Department as well as staff employed by the Addison Consolidated 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. “It is my honor to work with so many great people and this is my opportunity to recognize them for their excellence,” said Chief Gunther.
Several of the recognitions were in regard to an armed car theft incident that occurred on New Year’s Eve 2021. Following is a list of recognitions and recipients:
Star of Valor - Officer Robert Arndt III
Chief’s Recognition Commendation - Officer Jonathan Longini, Officer Arben Sylejmani, Officer Brett Jensen, Officer Thomas Swoboda, Telecommunication Officer Ann Leath of ACDC, Telecommunication Officer William Kolberg of ACDC, Telecommunication Officer Grecia Flores of ACDC, Telecommunication Officer Chris Norton of ACDC
Three members of the Westmont Police Department were presented Life Saving Awards for an incident that is still under investigation that occurred on November 22, 2022:
Life Saving Award - Sergeant Rolando Padilla, Officer Thomas Swoboda, Officer Alexander Erdmann
Chief Gunther also presented a Chief’s Recognition Commendation to Officer Kamil Broda who assisted with successfully locating and removing a subject from harm's way as a freight train approached the area.
Additionally, Chief Gunther presented two special awards to Police Department staff for their excellent work and commitment. A Chief’s Recognition Commendation was presented to Assistant to the Chief of Police Ruth Olsson, who worked directly with and assisted Chief Gunther during his recent tenure as the President of the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association. Olsson continues to work with and assist Gunther with his current role as the Chair of the DuPage Merit Task Force.
The final award of the evening was the Westmont Police Department Employee of The Year Award presented to Investigative Aide Angela Whitehead. Whitehead not only assists with investigations research for the Police Department, but she also has been instrumental with several other initiatives including coordination of various events and community outreach as well as applying for and securing over $350,000 in grant funds for the Westmont Police Department.
The Village of Westmont congratulates these individuals for their excellence and dedication to the community. Photos from the awards presentation have been published in the Photo Gallery on the Village Website.
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