Suburban Cop Who Pulled Gun On Woman May Be Near Retirement

FOREST PARK, IL – An off-duty Forest Park police officer who pulled a gun on a woman while wearing a pro-Trump shirt earlier this year may be nearing retirement.

Lt. Daniel Miller has been on paid administrative leave for almost six months.

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On April 27, Miller pulled a gun on a driver, removed her from her car and handcuffed her. That was after she struck a curb; Miller said he thought it was a hit-and-run.

The incident, partially documented on video, happened in North Riverside, where police declined to cite either Miller or the woman.

Miller started with the Forest Park Police Department on Jan. 5, 2007, according to the state's officer database.

Under state pension law, an officer can start receiving regular pension benefits after 20 years of service, as long as the officer is at least 50. Patch doesn't know Miller's age.

If Miller is old enough, he could start receiving benefits in less than three months.

Miller and Forest Park's police chief, Dan Pater, couldn't be reached for immediate comment Tuesday.

Shortly after the incident, Miller resigned "effective immediately" as chair of North Riverside's Civil Service Commission, which is involved in the hiring of police officers.

Miller's resignation followed residents' emails to North Riverside officials calling for his ouster. At least one resident referred to the woman's Hispanic heritage.

"I myself do not feel comfortable with someone that works for the village outwardly showing his bigotry, while on such a Commission for North Riverside," resident Carolyn Quaid said.

In 2017, Miller shot and killed Marco Gomez, who was driving a stolen car in Forest Park, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark newspaper reported.

Gomez's family sued Forest Park, with the village settling for $600,000 in 2021, the newspaper said.

Miller owns Stars & Stripes Sports Lounge in Indian Head Park, which is next to La Grange and Western Springs.