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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMENDING THE VALIANT EFFORTS OF SERGEANT ERIK A. ROEDEL AND K9 OFFICER KELLI
WHEREAS, Sergeant Erik Allen Roedel is a lifetime resident of LaGrange Park, Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice. Sergeant Roedel resides in LaGrange Park, Illinois with his loving wife of 23 years, three children Julia, Erik Jr., and Abby. In Sergeant Roedel’s spare time he looks forward to spending time with his family, hiking with his dogs and watching sports; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Erik Roedel pursued his passion to obtain a career in law enforcement and started his career as a Cook County Sheriff Correctional Officer in November 1993; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Erik Roedel enjoyed his job so much that he began to move up the ladder within the sheriff’s department. In 1995 Sergeant Roedel received a promotion and became a Sheriff Police; and
WHEREAS, In 1997 Sergeant Erik Roedel was promoted to the Cook County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit Emergency Services Bureau, and in 2007 Sergeant Erik Roedel was promoted to Sergeant in this same unit; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Roedel loves working in the Canine Unit because there is always a different challenge each day. He also enjoys watching the dogs work because their due diligence never waivers after many years of service; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Roedel is amazed often as to how the dogs can locate the hidden drugs or the people hiding. He jokes during canine demonstrations that he and his peers have the best job; they get paid to play with dogs all day; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Roedel has been fortunate to work with multiple canines and bloodhounds. The highlight of his work day is, being able to help find missing people with Kelli; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Erik Roedel’s K9 officer partner Kelli was only 6 month old when they joined together in the spring of 2012. He took her under his wings and trained her to search for missing people and criminal offenders. Kelli who is now 6 years of age obtained her name after Kelli O'Laughlin who was murdered in her home in Indian Head Park. Sergeant Roedel worked the case with his first bloodhound Melanie, and when he got Kelli he asked the family if he could name his new bloodhound after her; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Erik Roedel and K9 officer Kelli have located and saved numerous lives and caught many Criminals; and
WHEREAS, In 2013 and 2015 Sergeant Erik A. Roedel and K9 officer Kelli received recognition and were awarded the Central Warrants Unit Lifesaving Award at the Sheriff’s Employee Awards & Recognition Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Erik A. Roedel successfully passed the Sheriff’s Police Lieutenant Written Examination; and
WHEREAS, K9 Kelli is a 6-year-old bloodhound who is certified in man trailing by the National Police Bloodhound Association; and
WHEREAS, On May 23, 2018, Sergeant Erik A. Roedel and K9 officer partner Kelli assisted local law enforcement officers in successfully apprehending mother Mikequera Randolph 24, who was charged with aggravated kidnapping, and was accused of taken off with her own baby during a supervised visit on May 14, 2018; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall recognize Sergeant Erik A. Roedel and K9 Kelli for their outstanding services that they have provided in lifesaving tactics throughout the County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Cook County Board of Commissioner, and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Erik A. Roedel and K9 officer Kelli in recognition of their heroic efforts.
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