Valor Awards

In 1980, the Board of Directors of the 100 Club of Chicago established the Valor Award to be presented annually to those police officers, firefighters and paramedics who, by their actions, performed above and beyond the call of duty and in the highest tradition of their respective departments.

The recipients are chosen by the awards committees of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, the Illinois Police Association and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, not by the staff of the 100 Club of Chicago. Because of the stringent standards imposed by those peers, there might be times when the Valor Award will not be given.

The Valor Award is the only civilian award that is permitted to be worn on the awardee’s uniform in every municipality within Cook County.

2009 Awards

The 100 Club of Chicago 2009 Valor Awards were presented in a ceremony at The University Club of Chicago on November 12. The five Award recipients included:

Firefighter Joseph F. Martinelli, Chicago Fire Department

On March 1, 2009, Firefighter Joseph Martinelli and other members of Squad 2 arrived at a fire in the 3300 block of North Lawndale Avenue where they found a two-story residence with fire in the rear and heavy black smoke pouring out from the bedroom windows. Being advised that a civilian might be trapped in the house, Martinelli and Captain Maloney forced entry into the building and began a search. While Captain Maloney exited the building to direct the laying out of the hoses, Martinelli continued the search through thick smoke and spreading fire and found an unconscious adult lying across a bed. Via his radio, Martinelli called for assistance, but the raging flames blocked all efforts of others to reach him. After failed attempts to get the victim to, and out of, the windows, Martinelli dragged the severely injured man through the flames and smoke and was able to get out of the building where he continued rescue efforts until paramedics arrived. Martinelli suffered second degree burns to his face. For his heroism, Firefighter Martinelli has also received the Lambert Tree Award from the City of Chicago.

Officer Lemornet Miller, Chicago Police Department

On September 28, 2008, Officer Lemornet Miller and his partner, Officer Nathaniel Taylor, on assignment from the Narcotics Division, were conducting surveillance prior to serving a search warrant in the 7900 block of South Clyde. The Officers saw the target of the search warrant, a three-time convicted felon and gang member, arrive at the scene. To ensure the safety of others, it was determined that the suspect should be apprehended prior to entering the building.

The officers exited their cars and approached the suspect’s car; Officer Miller from the front and Officer Taylor from the rear.

The suspect opened the door of his car and opened fire with a .38 revolver, striking Officer Taylor three times in the chest. Officer Miller immediately returned fire, hitting the gunman several times. Officer Miller called for emergency assistance for Officer Taylor, but Officer Taylor died from his gunshot wounds. The gunman survived, and was charged with first degree murder and being an armed habitual criminal.

Officer Lawrence Kutella, Brookfield Police Department

On March 5, 2009, Officer Lawrence Kutella was the first to arrive at the scene of a three flat apartment building. A female apartment dweller told him that the fire started in her apartment and was rapidly spreading. The female was unaware of other residents in the building.

Without protective clothing or safety equipment, Officer Kutella entered her apartment and saw heavy smoke and flames spreading across the ceiling. He pounded on the doors of the apartment across the hallway, but received no answer. Smoke was now filling the hallways and the heat quite intense.

Officer Kutella checked the apartment on the second floor and was able to escort four residents out of the building. He returned to the apartment on the first floor amid hallways so filled with smoke that he had to crawl along the floor using his flashlight to locate the door. Officer Kutella continued to pound on the door and it was finally opened by the resident. After explaining the danger, Officer Kutella led six family members to safety out of the burning building.

To ensure that the building was no longer occupied, Officer Kutella returned a third time, doubling checking each apartment and the basement. After that final sweep, Officer Kutella exited the building suffering from the intense heat and smoke inhalation.

Firefighter Paramedic Patrick McBride & Firefighter Paramedic Nicholas Tomeczko, Brookfield Fire Department

On January 8, 2009, a structure fire was reported in the 3500 block of Park Avenue in Brookfield and six suburban fire departments responded to the call. A 1½ story residence was heavily engaged in fire emitting heavy black smoke.

Firefighters McBrien and Tomeczko from Engine 411 were the first to enter the building in search of victims. Using SCBA gear because of zero visibility and smoke, they spread out to cover as much of the floor as possible. The Firefighters located an infant’s car seat containing an unconscious newborn female and handed her to another firefighter to be taken to safety.

Continuing their search, now using a thermal imaging camera, they found an unconscious four-year-old male who was also removed to safety. Continuing on, they located a large adult male who, with the assistance of additional fire personnel, was also removed from the building.

In their capacity as Paramedics, both McBrien and Tomeczko treated the victims outside of the blazing structure. Firefighter Paramedics McBrien and Tomeczko were praised for their determination, pride, courage and valor.