Suburban heroes: Round Lake Park officer commended for work on sex abuse cases

Since early 2017, Round Lake Park Police Officer Christopher Valle has cleared 16 cases of sexual abuse to children. The 29-year-old third-year officer has worked hard to get help to the victims and deliver justice to the people who hurt them.

"Certain officers come through that have a knack for investigation, and they are few and far between," said Valle's boss, Chief George Filenko. "He's very tenacious and takes these child abuse cases personally."

Filenko nominated Valle for the Exchange Club of Round Lake Area's Above and Beyond Award and Valle was given the award earlier this month. Twelve people and groups were nominated this year, but the biggest cheers of the night were reserved for Valle, who said he was shocked to receive the award.

"Doing police work you never expect a reward, just the satisfaction that the victims you help are going to be safe," Valle said.

He said he figured he got such a warm response from the crowd because people were happy and thankful to the department for obtaining justice for the children.

"Child abuse, sex abuse cases, people are not used to hearing about that stuff," Valle said. "And to know that it happened in the small area of Round Lake Park 16 times, especially."

Filenko said the high number of cases was an unusual spike for the village. He said Valle was able to remain focused and gather a lot of evidence so they wouldn't need to put children on the witness stand and make them relive the trauma.

Valle said during the child sex abuse investigations, he worked with the Children's Advocacy Center of Lake County to get the victims the social help they needed.

Valle also worked a monthlong drug investigation that led to the seizure of 500 pounds of marijuana, an assault rifle, a lot of cash and the arrest of two men believed to have connections to a drug cartel.

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