Retired state police captain honored with Achievement Medal

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. J.B. Pritzker awarded retired state police Capt. Donald Norton with the Illinois State Police Achievement Medal Tuesday to honor his 30 years of service.

Norton, now 91, served from 1960 to 1990 in the Division of Criminal Investigation and Division of Narcotic Control and was commander of Illinois State Police District 3, now known as District Chicago.

He was previously awarded the Medal for Honor, which is awarded to Illinois State Police personnel who perform a heroic act that "by its nature results in saving a life, preventing a serious crime, or apprehending a person who committed a serious crime."

Pritzker said Norton remains committed to the state police, providing military guidon flags for each cadet and recruit class for several years. Norton has also developed flags for the office of the director, first deputy director and each division. Pritzker said those flags will be encased at a 100th anniversary ceremony this Friday.

"A veteran of the Korean War and the US Department of Justice, Captain Norton has spent more than 50 years in service of his community, to his state, and to his country," Pritzker said. "He is among the very best of Illinois. So without further ado, it is my honor to bestow the ISP Achievement Medal on him today."

Norton thanked the governor for his efforts on behalf of the state police and for attending ceremonies for officers killed in the line of duty.

Pritzker bestowed the medal in his Capitol office on Tuesday as part of a commemoration of the Illinois State Police's 100th anniversary.