Community Corner

Badge of Bravery Awarded Posthumously to Fallen Glen Ellyn Native

Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry's mother Pamela Roberts accepts Congressional Badge of Bravery award on her son's behalf.

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL-13), last week joined in St. Louis today at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse to present local law enforcement officials with the Congressional Badge of Bravery, an award honoring exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

Among the six U.S. Marshals earning the award was fallen Glen Ellyn native, Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry who was killed during the apprehension of an armed fugitive in St. Louis on March 8, 2011.

On March 8, 2011, the award recipients demonstrated great courage during the apprehension of an armed fugitive in St. Louis, Missouri, which resulted in the death of a distinguished U.S. Marshal. Recipients of the award for exceptional acts of valor are: Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick James, Deputy U.S. Marshals Theodore Abegg, Travis Franke, Nicholas Garrett, Jeremy Wyatt, and fallen Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry.

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“The marshals we honor here today deserve our respect. They have well-earned these Congressional Badges of Bravery,” Durbin said in a statement. “On that day two years ago, these brave officers knew they were looking for a dangerous man with a history that included assaults on law enforcement, but they went after him anyway because that was their job. I am especially proud to recognize Deputy Marshal John Perry, the team's leader and an Edwardsville resident who was killed in the gunfire that day. Deputy Marshal Perry didn't lose his life—he laid it down to keep his fellow officers and his community safe. I will continue doing all I can to make sure brave officers like him have the resources and support to carry out their duties as safely and effectively as possible.”

McCaskill said in a statement, “As a former County Prosecutor, I can tell you first-hand that local law enforcement are the single most important component of ensuring public safety and preventing crime. These brave men and women are doing an incredible job-often under difficult circumstances-and deserve the recognition they're receiving today.”

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There have been only two dozen of these awards ever bestowed, Enyard said. "Today's honorees were the first residents Illinois and Missouri to be honored. Today was a fitting day to honor the service and sacrifice made by law enforcement officers and their families every day."

The Congressional Badge of Bravery award was established by the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 and was first awarded in 2010 to honor exceptional acts of bravery by law enforcement officers. The medals are awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General and are presented by the recipients' Members of Congress.

Additional information on this year's award recipients is available online here.  

Information courtesy of a news release from Dick Durbin's office.

Related:

  • Glenbard Graduates Mourn Death of Fallen U.S. Marshal Killed in St. Louis


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