Off-duty Aurora cop at the movies named officer of the month

An off-duty Aurora police officer, who captured an alleged gang member wanted on an arrest warrant while the two happened to be at a Warrenville movie theater, has been named the department's June Employee of the Month.

Edgar Gallardo, a two-year veteran of the force, spotted the 19-year-old man as he walked into a theater washroom on June 25. The suspect, who was wanted in connection with a shooting earlier in the month, was with several friends who also were alleged gang members.

Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said Gallardo tried calling 911 twice while the men were in the washroom but the calls were dropped both times.

When the suspect spotted Gallardo while leaving the restroom, he and his cohorts tried to leave the theater.

Gallardo followed them.

After asking patrons to call 911, Gallardo announced his intention to take the suspect into custody. When he tried, he was attacked by the group of men.

In the police report, Gallardo said he believed the suspect recognized him from previous arrests, despite the fact he was off-duty and in plain clothes.

Ferrelli said Gallardo suffered only minor injuries during the scuffle because several residents came to his aid and helped him get control of the situation until Warrenville police arrived.

"Officer Gallardo's actions illustrate that a police officer is never 'off duty,'" said Chief Greg Thomas while announcing Gallardo's selection as the department's top employee. "Because he showed the resolve of knowing criminals who prowl the streets of our city, he was able to put a dangerous offender behind bars."

Ferrelli said the suspect, who was the target of the arrest warrant, was taken to jail on aggravated discharge of a firearm charges. He and his three associates were also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer.