Arlington Hts. Crime Stoppers honors police investigator

Richard Sperando, an Arlington Heights police investigator who headed the yearlong Dial-a-Rock campaign that ended a Northwest suburban cocaine ring, has been named Officer of the Year in the village.

Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers Inc. presented the award Thursday.

This annual award honors an officer who “has made a recognizable contribution to the community’s crime fighting effort through an arrest or suppression of criminal activity,” the program reads.

Inspired by his uncle, Anthony Stellato Jr., Sperando joined the police department in Melrose Park, his hometown, as a dispatcher and desk officer. In 1990 he became an Arlington Heights officer.

His service in Arlington Heights has included the Gang Crimes Unit, crime scene technician and patrol juvenile officer.

He also served five years assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration in Chicago. He has been back in the Arlington Heights Criminal Investigation Bureau since January 2009.

Earlier awards he has received include VFW Officer of the Year in 1994 and he was co-recipient of the L.W. Calderwood Officer of the Year honor in 1995.

Sperando and his wife, Toni, have two sons, Richie and Joey.

The award includes a luncheon and a $500 award.

Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips on crimes at (847) 590-7867 and gives cash awards.