Normal Police officer recognized for helping families of fallen officers

Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli (left) presents Chad Bock (right) with a Meritorious Police Service Award. (Normal Police Department photo)

By HOI ABC

NORMAL – A police officer in Normal is being honored for his service to families of officers who have died in the line-of-duty.

Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli on Thursday presented Officer Chad Bock with the Meritorious Police Service Award.

Bock is a member of the Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors Critical Incident Memorial Team, and has responded to 10 line-of-duty deaths across the state.

He helps identify what’s needed to assist to help families and police agencies in their time of need.

In a Facebook post, Normal Police described Bock’s efforts.

“Officer Bock develops a relationship with the family, providing valuable resources, guidance, and grief support. His ability to relate and counsel those affected provides an invaluable asset.

At a moment’s notice, he sacrifices his personal and professional time to ensure the affected families and agencies receive the support they deserve.

Officer Bock’s unselfish contribution to this initiative is above and beyond the call of duty and directly contributes to a valuable police accomplishment.”

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…