Gurnee cop receives medal for bravery

Gurnee police officer Matthew Bendler received the village’s medal of valor Monday night for dragging a wounded man from an apartment to waiting paramedics while contending with a knife-wielding suspect on Christmas Eve.

Bendler was nominated for one of the police department’s highest honors by Officer Dion Snyder, who worked with him on the call that came about 2 a.m. Dec. 24.

During the ceremony, Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik placed the medal on an emotional Bendler, who said police officers everywhere enter dangerous situations all the time and asked the public to keep them in their prayers.

“It’s an honor to be considered for the (medal), let alone receive it,” said Bendler, who drew a standing ovation from Gurnee village board members and spectators.

Police Chief Robert Jones lauded Bendler for exhibiting “selflessness, courage, bravery and honor.”

Snyder said Bendler was the first to respond to the domestic disturbance call at the two-bedroom apartment. Bendler was alone and confronting the armed suspect, who loudly admitted he had just stabbed his father-in-law five times.

Upon arrival, Snyder said he assisted by observing the suspect. He said the man wanted to die at the hands of police and charged at the officers.

Bendler quickly negotiated with the suspect, who then allowed the officer to enter the apartment’s living area to check on the victim who weighed at least 250 pounds.

Snyder said he received clear commands from Bendler to continue to engage the suspect.

“Officer Bendler, without hesitation or concern for his own safety, knowingly put himself in harm’s way by holstering his weapon and attending to the victim just feet from the offender,” Snyder wrote in nominating his colleague for the medal of valor.

At Monday’s ceremony, Snyder said Bendler dragged the profusely bleeding man down stairs and to Gurnee paramedics so they could transport him to a hospital. Bendler then sent the suspect’s 9-year-old stepbrother and a woman to a bedroom for safety.

Snyder said a third officer responded to the apartment with a “less-lethal” shotgun. Reports show the three officers talked to the suspect for about 1½ hours and succeeded in getting him to drop the knife.

Bendler showed his sense of humor when he stepped up to receive the award after Snyder finished describing the chain of events.

“By the way,” Bendler said, “that sounded a lot better than I remembered it.”

Gurnee police honors are considered by a committee led by Cmdr. Jay Patrick and Cmdr. William Meyer. Patrick said he and Meyer are joined by a rotating group of officers representing all Gurnee police shifts.

Monday evening’s village board meeting wasn’t the first time Bendler was honored for his work. In 2008, Bendler was given a special pin for ranking second on the Gurnee Police Department with 79 drunken-driving arrests.