Kroski honored as Buffalo Grove police officer of the year

Buffalo Grove this week recognized police Officer Timothy Kroski, who was honored as the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove’s 2024 police officer of the year.

Officer Gabriel Augustyniak also received a special commendation.

Buffalo Grove Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Collins, Rotary immediate past president, presented the awards at Tuesday’s village board meeting. The officers are chosen by the officers’ peers.

Collins said Kroski excelled in a variety of roles. He showed leadership as a field training officer and was a valued member of the midnight shift.

Last year, he became school resource officer at Buffalo Grove High School.

“Officer Kroski has earned praise for his mentorship and the connections he has made with students and staff,” Collins said.

As a member of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force and evidence technician, he has also assisted in large-scale incidents throughout the county.

“A lot of departments will market themselves as a family,” Kroski said. “I can't speak to other departments, but I can say unequivocally that we are a family.”

Rotary will contribute $250 to the Rotary Foundation and another $250 to a charity of Kroski’s choice.

Augustyniak displayed an unyielding dedication to the safety and security of the village, Collins said.

“He is consistently among the department leaders in traffic law enforcement,” Collins said.

Augustyniak was lauded for his investigative prowess and became a field training officer to help develop new members of the force. In addition, he is a member of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System Mobile Field Force Bicycle Response Team.