100 Club of Chicago Announces 2009 Valor Award Winners
Five Receive Highest Civilian Award in Cook County
November 1, 2009
The 100 Club of Chicago, a not-for-profit organization comprised of civilians supporting public servants and their families, announced the winners of the 2009 Valor Awards which recognize heroic actions of law, fire and EMS personnel throughout Cook County.
The Valor Award, established in 1980, expanded the 100 Club’s primary mission to provide for the surviving spouses and dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who lost their lives in the line of duty. The 100 Club reaches out to all federal, state, county and local law officers, firefighters and paramedics stationed in Cook County.
During a reception held on November 12 at the University Club of Chicago, five individuals were commended for their recent actions that ensured the safety of vulnerable citizens. In addition to the award itself and a commemorative watch, each received a ribbon/campaign bar which is the only civilian award permitted to be worn on uniforms in every municipality within Cook County.
The 2009 Valor Award winners are:
Officer Lemornet Miller, Narcotics Division, Chicago Police Department
In September 2008, Officer Miller apprehended a three-time convicted felon who shot and killed Officer Nathaniel Taylor, Miller’s partner, as they attempted to serve a search warrant.
Firefighter Joseph F. Martinelli, Squad 2, Chicago Fire Department
In March 2009, Firefighter Martinelli, who received second-degree burns on his face during his rescue work, forced entry into a burning building consumed with flames and filled with intense smoke where he found and dragged to safety an unconscious adult male. Members of Martinelli’s squad assisted him.
Officer Lawrence Kutella, Brookfield Police Department
Also in March 2009, Officer Kutella responded to a fire at an apartment building and, without protective clothing or safety equipment, pounded on tenants’ doors to alert them to the fire. He initially escorted four residents out of the building, and returned to double check each apartment.
Getting no response the first time from tenants in a second floor apartment, he continued to pound on the door until it was opened by the resident and Officer Kutella led six family members from the burning building.
Suffering from heat and smoke to the point of complete exhaustion, Officer Kutella returned a third time to ensure all tenants escaped the fire.
Firefighter Paramedic Patrick McBrien and Firefighter Paramedic Nicholas Tomeczko, Engine 411, Brookfield Fire Department
In January 2009, Firefighter Paramedics Patrick McBrien and Nicholas Tomeczko were the first team to enter a residence heavily engaged in fire and smoke. The team rescued an unconscious newborn girl, an unconscious 4-year-old boy and an unconscious adult male.
After safely removing the victims from the residence, Firefighter Paramedics McBrien and Tomeczko treated the victims on the scene.
“These heroic individuals, without regard for their personal well-being, define the spirit and determination of dedicated public servants,” said newly-elected 100 Club President James V. Riley. “Although our organization was founded to help families of public servants who had lost their lives in the line of duty, we decided it also is important for the 100 Club to recognize the bravery of individuals who survived treacherous situations. They too serve as a source of inspiration for each of us.”
About the 100 Club of Chicago
In addition to its primary mission of aiding spouse and dependents of fallen law, fire and emergency personnel, the 100 Club of Chicago provides assistance with college tuition. It also annually bestows the Valor Award on heroic individuals who, without regard for their personal well-being, define the spirit and determination of the area’s 35,000 dedicated sworn personnel.
Since it was founded in 1966, the 100 Club of Chicago, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, has raised and given more than $7.8 million to 237 families. In addition to offering immediate financial assistance when tragedy strikes, the 100 Club makes it possible for fallen public servants’ dependents to attend college.