Buffalo Grove honors police officer, firefighter of year
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove honored its firefighter and police officer of the year this week, in a ceremony before the village board.
Firefighter/Paramedic Gary Steadman took the firefighter honors, having made a notable impact in just three years since joining the department. Fire Chief Mike Baker said Steadman has impressed with his positive attitude and gone above and beyond normal duty assignments, especially with vehicle maintenance and repair.
"He has demonstrated the dedication and involvement to be recognized as firefighter of the year," Baker said.
Sgt. Tony Montiel earned police officer of the year honors.
"(Montiel) led the investigation into several complex and high-profile cases during the year," including a double homicide, a stabbing, and unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm cases, said Bill Donahue, past president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove.
Montiel was hired by the department in 1996 as a community service officer, and sworn in as a police officer in 1999. He was promoted to sergeant in July.
Over the years he has served as a youth investigator, worked on the Greater Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force and been assigned to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
Montiel is considered a leader within the department, serving on the police pension board, and is the consummate team player, Donahue said.
The Rotary Club also gave a Special Commendation Award to police Investigator Brian Hansen. Hansen, a sworn officer since 2009, was the lead investigator on several residential burglaries. He networked with other suburban detectives to determine similar crime characteristics, including dates and times, methods used in forced entry and types of property taken, Donahue said.
Hansen deployed temporary cameras within strategic areas of the village to help locate additional evidence and capture the suspect.
"During one burglary, the home security cameras captured an image of the offender while he was inside the home. Upon seeing this, Brian recognized the suspect as a known burglar who was responsible for several other burglaries in the Northwest suburbs," Donahue said.