Kinney 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.

Kinney's Nomination

Kinney was nominated for his response to a call involving domestic trouble at a Huntley residence on March 5, 2011.

Police arrived at the home to assist a woman who reportedly had taken Oxycontin and had become extremely aggressive, the release stated. When Kinney went to the upstairs bedroom to speak with the woman, the window was open and the room was empty.

Kinney, upon looking out the window, spotted the woman lying outside on the roof, near its peak, of the two-story residence.

“Officer Kinney checked her pulse and breathing,” the release said. “The female woke up and attempted to roll off the roof while screaming, ‘Let me fall. I’m sick of this. I want to die.’ Officer Kinney, thinking quickly, immediately grabbed her into a cradle position to prevent her from rolling off the roof.”

Kinney held the woman, even as she struggled to break free, until another officer arrived to help him. Kinney then escorted the woman safely off the roof to waiting paramedics.

“Officer Brett Kinney acted heroically when he risked his own life and safety to prevent this troubled female subject from injuring, or possibly killing herself,” the nominating letter said.  

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