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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND CAREER OF SHERIFF SPECIALIST DERRICK RHODES OF THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Cook County Sheriff Derrick Rhodes is one of our own who is a decorated officer, that has exemplified extraordinary service to the residents of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, On January 17, 1989 Sheriff Derrick Rhodes began his career with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department of Corrections as a Cadet in Division 5. Where he worked for 18 months; and
WHEREAS, In June 1990, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes began his training in the Cook County Sheriff’s Department Training Academy; and
WHEREAS, In September 1990, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes graduated from the Cook County Training Academy, and was soon assigned to Division 6 in the Department of Corrections where he worked for a year; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes was transferred to receiving in the reclassification diagnostic center (RCDC), where he worked for three years; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes continued to work diligently within the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, as he transferred to 1886 External Operations for two years; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes traveled down another path and joined the Department of Corrections Canine Unit. Under the leadership of Master Trainer Joe Broderick. Sheriff Derrick Rhodes completed the Illinois 480-hour certification course with K9 Baron; and
WHEREAS, In 1996 - 2002, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes completed Canine duties that included vehicle, building and article searches for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, DEA and ATF; and
WHEREAS, In May 2002, Sheriff Derrick Rhodes dedication to law enforcement lead him to work directly with the United States Marshall’s Great Lakes Task Force with K9 Baron and then K9 Thunder. The Great Lakes Task Force included officers from the Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Canine Unit and the Illinois Department of Corrections Canine Unit. The team leader was Sam Dickerson from the Chicago Police Department. The Great Lakes Task Force was responsible for the apprehension of the most wanted and violent offenders in the state of Illinois as well as the prevention of the sale and distribution of drugs in the state of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, On May 27, 2005, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes and K9 Thunder helped to capture a U.S. Marine Sergeant, who had escaped from Camp Pendleton California and had been missing for 17 years. This capture was done without any police or civilian loss of life, and culminated in an accommodation for Specialist Derrick Rhodes and K9 Thunder from the United States Marine Corp; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes and K9 Thunder over the next three years achieved over 300 felony apprehensions, without any dog bites or weapon engagements. They worked on various operations with the FBI and DEA while also working for the Cook County Department of Corrections Canine Unit; and
WHEREAS, In August 2009, K9 Thunder was retired and Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes began the Illinois 480-hour certification training for the 2nd time with K9 Fax under the instruction of Master Trainer Joe Broderick; and
WHEREAS, In October 2009, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes was involved in an off-duty incident that saved a young girl’s life, and resulted in Specialist Rhodes receiving the Medal of Valor from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and the 2009 Deputy of the Year award from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association; and
WHEREAS, In September 2009 - November 2016, Specialist Derrick Rhodes and K9 Fax had hundreds of narcotic finds with the Cook County Department of Corrections and other various areas of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department; and
WHEREAS, In November 2016, K9 Fax was retired and Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes later in June 2017, began to work as part of the Counter Surveillance and Judicial Security Team for Chief Operating Officer Bradley Curry and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Tarry Williams; and
WHEREAS, In December 2017, Specialist Derrick Rhodes received, as part of the Counter Surveillance and Judicial Security Team, an accommodation from Chief Operating Officer Bradley Curry and Deputy Chief Tarry Williams for exemplary service during the 44 days long Black Souls Trial that took place at the Criminal Courts Building; and
WHEREAS, In August 2018, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes began work on a new program called Tails of Redemption that paired Cook County Department of Corrections detainees, with Pit Bull rescue dogs from Chicago Area Animal Control. Specialist Rhodes worked to train 6 dogs in basic obedience and all 6 dogs graduated from the program in November 2018; and
WHEREAS, In October 2018, Sheriff Specialist Rhodes received as part of the Counter Surveillance and Judicial Security Team, an accommodation from Chief Operating Officer Bradley Curry and Deputy Chief Tarry Williams for exemplary service during preparations for the Jason Van Dyke Trial that took place at the Criminal Courts Building; and
WHEREAS, On November 30, 2018, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes retired from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department with 30 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes expressed that he’s looking forward to his retirement, by spending more time with his loving wife Sheriff Superintendent Monica Rhodes, sons Kyle, Anthony, Kristopher, Derrick Jr., Jaylan, grandchildren Nevaeh, Triston, Avaree, and Saint; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, shall honor Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes for his dedication, and exemplary service to law enforcement and the residents of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sheriff Specialist Derrick Rhodes in recognition of 30 years of service in the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.end