Aurora to honor top drug crime fighters

Eight Aurora police officers, who have combined to make 179 drug arrests and 24 DUI arrests, will be honored today for their work.

The city's ninth annual Red Ribbon Task Force law enforcement luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at Long Island Sound Banquets, 1920 E. New York St.

The event is part of Red Ribbon Week, a national anti-drug initiative started in 1988 in memory of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena.

The father of three was investigating a multi-billion-dollar Mexican drug scam when he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by drug lords in 1985.

Aurora's youth and sports activities department has held a Red Ribbon campaign since 1989, which includes events in the community and schools.

A committee chose to honor the eight officers from the police department's patrol and community policing divisions.

They are: Karie Hill, with 42 drug arrests; John Lawson, with 33; Jay Ellis, with 29; Dave Brian, with 27; Doug Rashkow, with 25; Dave Sheldon, with 23; Joe Thompson, with 13 DUI arrests; and John Gibson, with 11 DUI arrests.

"I'm certainly proud of these employees and what they've done," police Chief William Powell said Thursday.

The officers have gone above and beyond their everyday patrol and community policing duties to target drug offenders, he said.

"It says to me they believe in the community and they're going to take that extra step to try to make the city safer," he said.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Mayor Tom Weisner will join the police chief at today's ceremony.