Buffalo Grove names its officer of the year, awards special commendation

Buffalo Grove police officer Edwin Zuniga was named the police department’s Officer of the Year, while officer Aeden Young earned a Special Commendation Award at Monday’s village board meeting.

The award is presented each year by the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove, and recipients are chosen by their peers. The club will donate $500: $250 to the Rotary International Foundation and $250 to the charity of Zuniga’s choosing, the Wounded Warrior Project.

Zuniga joined the department as an intern in the summer of 2022 and was sworn in as a police officer in 2023. In 2025, Zuniga responded to 1,271 calls for service, and recorded 47 arrests. He led the department in seat belt citations and total citations issued.

Young began his career with the department in 2022 as a community service officer, and was sworn in as a full-time officer in 2024. He led the department in traffic citations in 2025, and recorded 46 arrests. He was also recognized with a Life Saving Award and Unit Citation.