The Chicago Crime Commission this week honored a longtime deputy at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and one of its K-9 units with “Stars of Distinction” awards for their work.
Lake County Sheriff Deputy Robert Skrypek was given the “Lifetime Service Award” for his career, which started in May of 1995. According to information released by the sheriff’s office, throughout the years, he tracked down dead-beat dads, checked on sex offenders to make sure they were in compliance with the laws, investigated and arrested child pornographers, solved cases of residential and vehicle burglaries, arrested violent offenders and earned a couple of local lifesaving awards.
The sheriff’s statement added that Skrypek has worked in at the court security, highway patrol, criminal investigations and warrants divisions, along with the office’s cyber crimes unit and tactical response team, and he currently serves as a field training officer.
“Deputy Skrypek comes to work every day with a great attitude and takes great pleasure in serving the community,” said Sheriff Mark Curran.
Deputy Craig Somerville, Jr. and his canine partner, Diesel, were awarded the “Paws of Distinction” award for their work in the field. The sheriff’s office reports that in January of 2016, Diesel located 29 wrapped bags of heroin, three wrapped bags of crack cocaine and one wrapped bag of powder cocaine and a pistol that had been hidden in a vehicle compartment. The following month, the K-9 unit surprised two suspects in a burglary in progress, and the suspects surrendered without injury to themselves or the K-9 unit.
The next month, according to the sheriff’s office, Diesel was also used to track a suicidal woman who had run out of a residence after cutting her wrists, and Diesel and Somerville found her hidden under some dense brush, and they were able to get her medical treatment. In August, Diesel tracked a bank robbery suspect who fled the bank on foot, and the suspect was apprehended, while both the money and the gun were found nearby by Diesel.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how Deputy Skrypek, Deputy Somerville, and canine Diesel represent the Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” Curran said in a statement. “It was a true honor receiving such prestigious awards (from) the Chicago Crime Commission.”
Undersheriff Ray Rose also praised the men and Diesel.
“The work ethic and dedication of Deputy Skrypek and Deputy Somerville are prime examples of our raising the bar at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office,” Rose said in a statement. “Both represent the Lake County community with a great deal of integrity, respect and professionalism.”
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