HR0761 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0761 LRB098 16031 GRL 51083 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Ralph DeBartolo on the occasion of his retirement from the Cook County Sheriff's Office after 55 years of dedicated service in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo served his country with pride as a member of the United States Army as an artilleryman during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo began his long and distinguished career in law enforcement on July 17, 1957 as a cadet with the Chicago Police Department; for the last 17 years of his time with the Department, he served as the personal bodyguard for the psychiatrists who helped determine the sanity of mass murderers, serial killers, and other criminal suspects; he retired from the Department on February 4, 1989; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo began working for the Cook County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff on April 5, 1989; on January 17, 1999, he was selected to serve as an Assistant Chief; he served with distinction as Assistant Chief in District 2 (Skokie) and District 3 (Rolling Meadows) for many years until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo was instrumental in the founding of the Italian American Police Officers Association and is a former president of the organization; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo has been the recipient of numerous awards from civic organizations, including the Order Sons of Italy in America and the Italian American Police Officers Association; he was the recipient of the 2010 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association; he also participated in the annual St. Jude Police League parade honoring fallen officers; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeBartolo and his loving wife, Helen, were married on August 25, 1956; together, they have 4 children, Tony (Kim), Gina, Danny (Melissa), and Brett; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Ralph DeBartolo on the occasion of his retirement and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ralph DeBartolo as a symbol of our esteem and respect.