SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly gathered Friday with ISP staff and their families, local law enforcement officers, and distinguished members of the public for the ISP Awards Ceremony. �
The ceremony was held to recognize individuals for their significant contributions and dedication to public safety.
Among those honored was Telecommunicator Specialist Kenneth R. Parnell of the Du Quoin Communications Center.
TCS Parnell is recognized for his careful handling of an incident with a trainee who took a call about a man wielding a chainsaw toward bystanders.
The call signal was lost and then filled with static, but TCS Parnell was able to decipher that a taser had been deployed and that a trooper had requested backup.
He initiated calls to local police departments and once officers were on scene, he was able to verify the safety of the trooper.
After the situation was under control, he effectively communicated to his supervisors the details that unfolded and alerted the oncoming shift about the details of this incident.
Another highlight from TCS Parnell’s award-winning year was his handling of a call where a confidential informant was battered by a suspect who was barricaded and shooting at police officers.
His professional demeanor, controlled voice, and conveyance of relevant information were integral components in helping to bring a high-risk situation under control.
Telecommunicator Specialist (TCS) Kenneth R. Parnell proudly serves ISP at the Du Quoin Communications Center.
Director Kelly presented individuals with the following awards: Director’s Award of Distinction, Medal of Valor, Medal for Honor, Meritorious Service Medal, Achievement Medal, and Lifesaving Medal. �
Each award recipient was recognized for their exemplary service to ISP and the residents of Illinois.
“ISP’s greatest strength is our people � troopers, specials agents, telecommunicators, analysts, forensic scientists � and I am proud and honored to work alongside them all,� said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. � “Integrity, Service, and Pride are ISP’s values and the people we are honoring today embody those values. � Thank you to those who have answered the call to pursue justice and protect the public.�
In addition to the awards that were presented, eight ISP employees received special recognition for exemplary service during 2023. �
Special recognition was given to the ISP Officer of the Year, Trooper Sterling Ross; Special Agent of the Year, ​Special Agent Ola O. Abdallah; Forensic Scientist of the Year, Forensic Scientist III Jamie Edwards; and Public Safety Support Staff Member of the Year, Cheri Strode.
2023 Officer of the Year, Trooper Sterling W. Ross
2023 Special Agent of the Year, Special Agent Ola O. Abdallah
2023 Forensic Scientist of the Year, Forensic Scientist III Jamie L. Edwards
2023 Public Safety Support Staff Member of the Year, Cheri L. Strode
Below is the complete list of 2023 ISP Award recipients, you can also visit the for more on this year's honorees:
Director’s Award of Distinction
- Deputy Devin B. Elliot
- Charles T. Veatch
Medal For Valor
- Sergeant Boguslaw H. Kramarz
- Special Agent Christopher E. Ehlers
- Trooper Stuart M. Baits
- Trooper Alec R. McCarthy
- Trooper Timothy W. Harper
- Trooper Neil A. Kramper
Purple Heart
- Sergeant Boguslaw H. Kramarz
- Trooper Alec R. McCarthy
Medal For Honor
- Master Sergeant Vincent N. Martinez
- Trooper Jacob M. Hoffman
Lifesaving Medal
- Master Sergeant Jeffry B. Gray
- Master Sergeant Mark R. Flack
- Sergeant Gregory M. Wilson
- Special Agent Michele M. Bell
- Trooper Thomas C. Carlock
- Trooper Michael W. Mueller
- Trooper Stanislaw Smalec
- Trooper Craig D. Bastert
- Trooper Benjamin R. Montgomery
- Trooper Blake C. Jones
- Trooper Haley C. Russo
- Trooper Cameron R. Boers
- Trooper Cesar J. Esparza
- Trooper Alexander J. Leaf
- Sergeant Joshua W. Kober
- Trooper Abel A. Franco
- Trooper Damein R. Cunnungham-Watson
- Trooper Jason P. Czub
- Trooper Wayne S. Hocking
- Trooper William S. Reagan Jr.
Department Commendation
- Forensic Scientist III Brian F. Parr
- Forensic Scientist III Heather E. May
- Forensic Scientist III Jamie L. Edwards
- Forensic Scientist III Angela D. Nealand
- Forensic Scientist III James E. Riggins
- Forensic Scientist III Casey L. Craven
- Telecommunicator Specialist Melanie E. Clark
- Telecommunicator Specialist Alexis N. Duncan
- Telecommunicator Specialist Kenneth R. Parnell
- Telecommunicator Specialist Julie R. Friend
- Telecommunicator Specialist Mary E. Burton
- Telecommunicator Specialist Leah K. Grenoble
- Graphic Arts Designer Advanced James G. Chandler
- Executive Secretary II Adria A. Martin
- Public Service Administrator Cheri L. Strode
- Special Agent Zachary L. Hanratty
- Special Agent Joshua P. Shirley
- Special Agent Water T. Willis
- Special Agent James K. Robinson
- Special Agent Chad E. Carlson
- Special Agent Ola O. Abdallah
- Special Agent Justin M. Haney
- Special Agent Rex A. Roberts
- Special Agent Antoine L. Finner
- Trooper Jeremy S. Mueller
- Trooper Simeon L. Siudyla
- Trooper Hayden E. Combs
- Trooper Nicholas A. Whitbeck
- Trooper Micah C. Ransom
- Trooper Michael R. Kucharz
- Trooper Sterling W. Ross
- Trooper Cameron R. Boers
- Trooper William P. Smith
- Trooper Aaron D. French
- Trooper Stephen T. Feurer
- Trooper Haley C. Russo
- Trooper Paul A. Howard
- Trooper Jagger C. Ellis
- Trooper Darrell C. Scruggs
