Buffalo Grove officer, Lake Co. deputy honored by state chiefs association

Buffalo Grove Police Sgt. Michael Rodriguez and Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Plichta have been named "Rising Shields of Law Enforcement" by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police for their leadership in advancing the field of law enforcement.

The Rising Shields awards encourage outstanding leaders under the age of 45 and below the rank of deputy chief or lieutenant to continue to grow in the profession. The awards also educate the public about the many contributions of sworn officers and others who work in law enforcement, and help communities better understand the often unrecognized roles that law enforcement personnel play in keeping communities safe.

Rodriguez began his career with the Buffalo Grove department in 1996. Described by Police Chief Steven Casstevens as very team-oriented and having tremendous connections to the community, he serves as supervisor of the department's Traffic Unit, where he has led several state and national award-winning public safety initiatives, including the ILACP Traffic Safety Challenge. In conjunction with the League of Illinois Bicyclists, Rodriguez worked to improve the safety of the village's bike route system.

Plichta began his law enforcement career in 2007 as a patrol officer in Round Lake Beach. In July 2010, he began his service to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit, with his primary focus on DUI enforcement. During 2014, he led the department in DUI arrests. He also works as a crash investigator and is responsible for investigating traffic accidents that involve serious injuries and fatalities.