Callahan Nominated for Officer of the Year

The McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association awarded its first-ever McHenry County Officer of the Year award over the weekend in Bull Valley.

Huntley Police Department was well-represented — two of its 12 officers were nominated for the award.

“It’s an honor just to be nominated for this award,” said Huntley Deputy Police Chief Todd Fulton.

Huntley Police Chief John Perkins nominated Officers Patrick Callahan and Brett Kinney for the honor. The other officers considered for the award hale from six other agencies throughout McHenry County, according to a Huntley police press release.

Woodstock Police Officer Adam Schraw won the award for his actions on Dec. 20, 2010, in removing a hair clip from a choking baby, and saving the child’s life. The 9-month-old baby girl could not breathe and was bleeding from the nose, the release stated.

Callahan's Nomination

Callahan was nominated for his efforts in responding to a rollover accident involving injuries on May 1, 2011, on Route 47 near Conley Road.

Callahan arrived on the scene and located a sport utility vehicle lying on its side off the roadway in a farm field. The male driver of the SUV was trapped under the vehicle and said he was barely able to breathe, Fulton said in the release.

“Officer Callahan immediately began pushing up on the vehicle’s luggage rack, which relieved enough pressure to allow the victim to breathe, but the victim was still trapped under the vehicle,” the release said.

“Officer Callahan continued his efforts to relieve the pressure on the victim until a passing motorist helped raise the vehicle enough to free him.”

“Callahan’s quick evaluation and response to the situation prevented this serious accident from becoming a fatality,” the nominating letter said.

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