Undercover officer named Kane County's best

A police officer who continually put his life on the line working undercover was honored as Kane County's officer of the year on Thursday.

Detective Tony Gramme, of the Batavia Police Department, took the top honor at the annual county law enforcement banquet.

"He's one of the best undercover officers in the state of Illinois," Batavia Police Chief Gary Schira said. "I'm extremely proud."

Gramme has been working with the FBI for more than a year targeting a crack cocaine ring in the area. He has helped to identify 20 members of the group and has executed numerous buys in helping the FBI build cases, Schira said.

Critical to the investigation was Gramme's ability to transform his appearance and convince gang members that he was a drug dealer, Schira said. He was suspected of working with police at one point but convinced the members otherwise and continued with the investigation.

"If he was found out, they would have killed him in a second," Schira said.

Gramme was formally commended by FBI Director Robert Mueller for his work on the case.

The FBI came to Gramme because of his reputation, Schira said.

"It's quite an honor for the FBI to reach out to a municipal officer," he said.

Arrests and charges stemming from the investigation are pending.

Twenty officers from 12 law enforcement agencies were nominated for the award. Those nominated included officers who jumped into the Fox River to save a boy, another who entered an apartment on fire to save four children, one who worked to identify the victims of a serial rapist, and two who stopped a woman contemplating suicide.

"What you do is under-appreciated," said State's Attorney John Barsanti. "You deserve the highest amount of praise."