BLOOMINGTON – Two Normal Police officers were honored for heroism by a local Sons of the American Revolution group and Daughters of the American Revolution group in ceremonies held Sept. 17 at Grace Church in Normal. Their honors were preceded by remarks by a current McLean County Circuit Judge giving a tutorial on cases he has handled over the years and the role the U.S. Constitution played in some of those cases.
Normal Police Officers Kylie Hepler and Dylan Miller were honored by SAR with that group’s Life Saving Commendation. The officers responded to a call on March 22 to go to an apartment in northwest Normal at 3p.m. What they found at the scene was a victim laying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and left shoulder. The victim had lost a great deal of blood from the shoulder injury.
Hepler applied pressure on the shoulder while Miller applied a tourniquet to the victim’s left arm. Once a Normal Fire Dept. ambulance arrived, Hepler pointed out the wounds while Miller helped carry the victim to the ambulance. At the hospital, doctors determined the bullet in the victim’s shoulder had perforated an artery, and the victim was transferred to Carle Hospital in Urbana.
“We all relied on our training at the time of the incident,†Hepler said. She added, “I’m honored to be considered for this.†Miller thought the honor was “pretty cool.â€
Hepler, who was on the force two years and Miller a year and a half at the time of the incident. Miller is no longer an officer, opting to work in the community’s private sector.
Normal Assistant Chief Among Other Honorees: Three other men were also recognized by being awarded SAR’s Distinguished Service Certificate. They are: Eric Klingele, assistant chief, NPD, who has 28 years of service; Gregory A. Scott, retired interim Bloomington Police Department, who has 25 years of service; and Michael Kemp, retired chief of Danvers Police Department, who was appointed chief in 2013.
McLean County Sheriff’s Detective Bryan Hanner Recognized For Work In CIRA Bomb Threat Investigation: The organizations also recognized McLean County Sheriff’s Detective Bryan Hanner for his efforts during an investigation of a bomb threat at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Oct. 27, 2020. The threat was determined to be unfounded but Hanner was assigned to complete a follow-up investigation related to the case. He used investigative techniques which help determine the threat came from a suspect living in Florida who made some 56 threats to other airports including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. When not conducting investigations, Hanner is a field training officer with the Sheriff’s Department, as well as serving as a member of its honor guard unit.
El Paso EMS Randy Stroud Earns Commendation: Randy Stroud of El Paso Emergency Medical Services, was honored with the SAR Medical Service Commendation for his work educating students, helping develop the local EMS service, and aiding in development of field training of other EMS workers.
BPD Officer Matthew Russell, State’s Attorney Aaron Frederick Receive Commendations: Officer Matthew Russell of the Bloomington Police Department, and Aaron Frederick, attorney in McLean County’s State’s Attorney’s Office, were also honored, each receiving SAR’s Law Enforcement Commendation.
Russell has been with BPD two years, during which time he has either initiated or assisted in 94 arrests. As a member of BPD, he has also taken part in the kickoff event of Special Olympics Illinois’ Opening Ceremonies.
Frederick went from being a probation officer in Champaign County to later becoming a 12-year veteran of University of Illinois Police Department, moving up to the rank of Sergeant. In 2017, Frederick joined McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor.
McLean Circuit Judge Lawrence Addresses Gathering: Prior to award honorees being recognized, McLean County Circuit Judge Paul Lawrence addressed those attending the session. “I want to congratulate the law enforcement from this area and our county is outstanding and I know that we all benefit from that,†Lawrence told those gathered. Lawrence practiced law in Bloomington for 17 years before being appointed an Associate Circuit Judge in 2002. In 2010, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him as a Circuit Judge and he was elected as a Circuit Judge in 2012. Currently, Lawrence is presiding judge of the civil division of McLean County’s 11th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
Admitting he was actually not a Son of the American Revolution, he said, “I am very proud of my American heritage,†as he was a 13th generation descendent of William Brewster, who served as spiritual leader on the Mayflower, one of the first ships that found America.
Lawrence said that as a result of his being on the bench, “I have had an opportunity to interpret the Constitution.†He said it, historically, is the oldest known Constitution in existence currently. As far as State law is concerned, he explained, when his father, William, was practicing law, State statutes could be found in one bound volume. Today, the younger Lawrence said, State laws have stretched out to be found in 10 volumes behind his bench.
“My father said that for every law they pass, they ought to remove one,†Judge Lawrence said. It was a line that brought a smattering of applause from the nearly 100 people gathered for the event. But after saying that, Lawrence was quick to add, “We’re at 10 volumes as life becomes more and more complicated.â€
“We get to interpret the Constitution occasionally, but it’s all those laws that have been passed since then that we are really interpreting,†Lawrence explained, adding, “Of course, all of those laws are based upon the Constitution and its general framework, and all of those laws must pass Constitutional muster.â€
His court, he explained, handles civil lawsuits, most commonly related to auto accidents, where defendants are being sued for $50,000 or more. He followed that up by explaining the 7th Amendment to the Constitution allows those bringing suit to sue for $20. It was a fact that produced chuckles from some attendees. He explained he has also handled cases related to medical malpractice, asbestos exposure, imminent domain, and sexually violent offenses.