Aurora, Illinois Officers Honored
Aurora officer honored for role in gang sweeps
By Andre Salles
Aurora, Illinois — Officer Michael Nilles, who spearheaded an intensive investigation into a local street gang last year that led to several arrests, was honored as the Aurora Police Department's Employee of the Year. The award was handed out in a special ceremony Friday afternoon, Feb. 24, at the Area Two Police Headquarters on Root Street.
Nilles' investigation, which spanned from September to December last year, led to the arrest of 11 gang members and associates and helped solve more than 20 shooting incidents, including four murders. The investigation, conducted by Aurora police, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and the FBI, utilized an undercover informant to provide information on several outstanding crimes.
"He's very tenacious," said Police Chief William Powell of Nilles, a 19-year veteran of the force. "... He's very deserving of this award, not only for this investigation but for the numerous cases he has handled throughout the year."The employee of the year is selected from among those awarded employee of the month throughout the year, and the final decision is up to Powell and his team of commanders. There were 16 nominees this year, several of whom shared employee of the month honors, and their achievements ranged from saving lives to tracking down criminals.
'A team effort'
Nilles has been recognized as employee of the month before, but this is his first employee of the year award.
"I wasn't expecting this," Nilles said after receiving his award. "It was a painstaking investigation, and I appreciate the fact that they recognized the effort we put forth. But this was a team effort and not a solo gig."
"There is nothing more rewarding than calling a family up and telling them that the murder of their son has been solved," he added. Powell said that the effects of Nilles' investigation are still being felt. "We don't even realize the full effect of this investigation yet," Powell said. "This was very important to the city of Aurora."
River rescue attempt
Also Friday, three officers were presented with the Medal of Valor, the highest award the department bestows on an officer. The award was given to Investigator Alfredo Dean and Officers Che Earwood and Larry Flowers for attempting to save the life of a man who had fallen into the icy Fox River on New Year's Eve, 2004. At around 6:15 p.m., Dean encountered Randall Styles, 42, standing in traffic on Broadway near East New York Street.
Upon approaching Styles, Dean saw him climb up the New York Street bridge and tumble into the river. The three officers, along with citizen Jesse Vasquez, formed a human chain to help pull Styles from the water. Styles was pulled out, but pronounced dead on arrival at Provena Mercy Medical Center.
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