Deputy testifies against Kildeer cop
A Lake County sheriff's deputy testified during a disciplinary hearing Thursday night that a Kildeer cop threatened him when he arrested her on suspicion of driving 101 mph while drunk.
Officer Suzan Jackson, 42, has been on paid administrative leave since her off-duty arrest Jan. 5 in far northwest unincorporated Lake County, near Rand Road and Route 134. Kildeer Police Chief Jeffrey Lilly is trying to fire Jackson.
Sheriff's Sgt. Curt Gregory testified on behalf of Lilly at Thursday's continued disciplinary hearing before the Kildeer police commission, which will determine Jackson's fate.
Under direct examination by the chief's lawyer, John Kelly, Gregory said he noticed Jackson zip by other traffic on northbound Rand before she registered 101 mph in a 55 mph zone on his radar. He said Jackson threatened him when he arrested her.
"There were several occasions when she stated, 'What goes around, comes around,'" Gregory testified.
On cross-examination by Jackson's representative and brother, Riverwoods police Officer David Marks, Gregory said he pursued her while going 115 mph without his emergency lights activated. Gregory told Marks, who isn't a lawyer, his goal was to pull over the driver as soon as possible.
Jackson testified on her own behalf before the commission. Under direct examination by her brother, Jackson said Gregory pointed a weapon at her after stopping her car.
"I didn't understand," she said.
In addition to hearing from Gregory, Kildeer police commission members watched about 1½ hours of video from Jackson's arrest that was captured by digital equipment in the deputy's squad car. However, spectators in the gallery weren't allowed to watch in the meeting room.
Marks requested that the video and accompanying audio be played behind closed doors. The commission agreed with Marks' request over the objection of the police chief's attorney.
Sheriff's police said Jackson was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and speeding just after midnight Jan. 5. Authorities said she refused to take Breathalyzer and field sobriety tests.
Lilly testified against Jackson last month. He said during his internal investigation that Jackson told him that she was driving 70 mph in a 55 mph zone and had two whiskey and colas earlier in the evening before getting behind the wheel of her 2004 Ford Mustang.
Jackson is accused in Lilly's internal complaint of violation of law, interfering with a police investigation, conduct unbecoming of an officer, neglect of duty and attempting to derive private benefit from department association.
Lilly contends Jackson, a Kildeer cop for almost nine years, can't perform her job because her driver's license has been summarily suspended.