Arlington Heights Police Department: LW Calderwood Award and Awards of Valor presentations at the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights luncheon.
The Village of Arlington Heights, the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights, and European Crystal know how to put on a warm, heartfelt awards celebration. But it was the subjects of the awards that couldn’t get much more honorable. One highly-regarded police officer received the L.W. Calderwood Office of the Year Award, and the Award of Valor; and an acting fire chief, and three police officers received the Award of Valor. Police officers, family and friends had reason to feel good about this day. Long behind them was the worry whether Michael McEvoy would survive his life-threatening injuries. There was relief that McEvoy looked good — not just considering what he went through — he actually looks good. Many hadn’t seen him since a treacherous night last December, when McEvoy was shot in the chin and neck area.
Arlington Heights Police Officer Michael McEvoy was named the L.W. Calderwood Officer of the Year by the Arlington Heights Police Department. The annual award is presented to an Arlington Heights police officer demonstrating the most significant contributions that year toward the overall betterment of the community. McEvoy also received an Award of Valor for his bravery for entering a home when he heard shots fired. He entered because he wanted to stop a gunman from killing someone. He took an extra risk because his backup units were not on the scene yet. You hear stories about bravery, or you might watch a news story, or a movie about bravery, but rarely do you get to stand next to — not just one — but five brave souls. There was a very special feeling in that banquet hall at European Crystal — filled with family and brotherhood with just the right dose of pride.
Arlington Heights Police Chief Gerald Mourning explained that Officer McEvoy responded on December 12, 2013 to a report of a man with a gun in a domestic situation. The police chief explained to a full banquet hall that McEvoy was the first officer on the scene when he encountered a woman in the garage screaming for help. She told McEvoy that a man with a gun in the house was going to kill a woman in the house. He then heard shots inside the home, and knew that he had to react immediately without waiting for backup. With total disregard for his own safety, he entered the home and encountered a second woman in the kitchen and safely escorted her out to the garage. He then entered the home again hoping to find a third woman, but he was shot. The woman would become a hostage.
Backup police officers arrived — Kevin Sullivan, Michael Turano, and Doug Glanz. The two women in the garage told the three officers that there was shooting inside the home. Officer Sullivan attempted to open the door, but it was obstructed by the prone body of Officer McEvoy. All three officers were able to force their way into the home. Officer Sullivan and Officer Turano dragged Officer McEvoy out of the kitchen, while officer Glanz provided cover. The four officers made it to the safe cover of a squad car down the driveway. Then Deputy Chief Ken Koeppen with the Arlington Heights Fire Department happened to be at a relative’s house in the neighborhood, and immediately sought to help the police officers. He applied pressure to the bleeding gunshot wound and positioned McEvoy to maintain his airway. McEvoy was then transported to Level I Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. He spent 16 days in the Intensive Care Unit at Lutheran General Hospital. His recovery is long, and many people learned today that he still has a bullet in his body. The bullet is scheduled to be removed soon.
Officer Michael McEvoy began his career with the Arlington Heights Police Department in 1989. In 1993, he volunteered for and served as a Special Agent for the Northeast Metropolitan Enforcement Group, or NEMEG. NEMEG was an elite Illinois State Police Task Force that targeted narcotics and dangerous drugs. Officer McEvoy worked in an undercover capacity for two years before returning to the Arlington Heights Police Department, where he began his forensic technician training.
Officer McEvoy is recognized as an outstanding Forensic Technician by his peers and supervisors. Based on his performance, he was subsequently trained as an Arson Investigator. Arson Investigators are Forensic Technicians who receive specialized training in determining the origin and cause of suspicious fires and explosions. He has been called upon to investigate several fires in the last year, including one in November which caused the death of three people.
Officer McEvoy has been involved in many high profile cases throughout his career including: homicide investigations, narcotic investigations, major fires, including fatal fires, arson, death investigations and cold cases. He has earned a great work ethic reputation as someone who is dedicated to his work, pays great attention to detail, and one who demonstrates a willingness to help co-workers.
Acting Fire Chief Ken Koeppen received the Award of Valor, and police officers Kevin Sullivan, Michael Turano, and Doug Glanz also each received the Award of Valor. No doubt, everything was just right today.
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