On April 12 2016, the Waukegan Exchange Club held their annual Police, Fire and Sheriff Awards presentation. Sgt. James McKinney and Lt. Michael Gregory were nominated for Command Officer of the Year. Detective Jakub Klatka, Deputy James Yanecek and Officer Charles Wiggins were nominated for Officer of the Year. The Waukegan Exchange Club selected Lt. Michael Gregory as Command Officer of the Year and Detective Jakub Klatka as Deputy of the Year.
Lt. Michael Gregory was nominated for his management in the procurement and implementation of a new County-wide Interoperable Radio System for both police and fire agencies. Advancements in technology required the replacement of the current system with a more secure system offering enhanced interoperability. Lt. Gregory served as a member of the Lake County Technical Review Committee and the Interoperability Council of Lake County. Lt. Gregory will head a transition team that will begin the implementation and training of all STARCOM radio users.
Lt. Gregory's 28-year career included serving in Highway Patrol, Crime Prevention, Sergeant of the Warrants, Civil and Records Divisions. Gregory currently serves as Director of the 911 Center.
Detective Jakub Klatka was nominated for his persistence in investigating criminal activity. He recently solved a rash of burglaries by developing leads and solving for the common denominator among a series of victims. That common denominator was a male subject who was subsequently arrested for a half dozen Class X Residential Burglaries in unincorporated/contract communities in Lake County. Detective Klatka shared his findings with other local law enforcement resulting in the same male subject being charged in another 10 Class X Residential Burglaries in neighboring communities.
Sheriff Mark C. Curran, Jr. stated, "I am proud of the 2016 Exchange Club nominees and recipients. Their dedication to protect and serve the public is appreciated." Undersheriff Ray Rose added, "We'd like to thank Waukegan Exchange President Faith Clark, Committee Chair Nadine Burleson and members of the Exchange Club for recognizing the good work of the Sheriff's Office. Your acknowledgement is appreciated by law enforcement personnel and your community."
Photo below: L-2-R: Chief Doug Larsson, Lt. Michael Gregory, Sgt. James McKinney, Officer Charles Wiggins, Deputy James Yanecek, Detective Jakub Klatka and Deputy Chief Michael Keller.