Will Co. Deputy's Disorderly Conduct Charge: Judge Won't Dismiss Case

JOLIET, IL — Around 50 supporters of off-duty Will County Sheriff's Deputy Edward Goewey came to the Will County Courthouse Monday morning in a show of support. Goewey faces one charge of disorderly conduct following an incident last December at St. Mary's Catholic School in Mokena, where Goewey's three children attended.

He and his wife have removed their children from St. Mary's Mokena since then, Goewey told reporters following Monday's court hearing.

In Courtroom 301, Goewey's attorney, Bob Bodach of The Tomczak Law Group, asked Will County Judge Brian Barrett to dismiss the charge. Special prosecutor Bill Elward objected, and the judge ruled in favor of the special prosecutor.

"I want to thank you all for being here today in support of Deputy Goewey," Bodach told supporters outside the courthouse. "The decision today was ultimately not what we were hoping for, but it was just the first step.

"We received a denial of our motion to dismiss the complaint ... It was a legal motion that was presented today on Deputy Goewey's behalf rather than a factual motion."

Bodach said he and his client are looking forward to their next court date in May. Bodach told Joliet Patch the case will probably go to a jury trial this summer.

"Today, we had asked the judge to look at the complaint and determine that tapping one's hip and identifying themselves as an off-duty police officer is not disorderly conduct," Bodach said. "The judge disagreed at this stage, determining that to be a factual issue for the jury. We understand that decision and are looking forward to presenting all of those facts as we come to court for pretrial and then our trial."

The criminal charge against Goewey arose from his concern for the safety of the students after a gun threat at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Mokena, according to his lawyer.

"This is a case where Deputy Goewey had heard about threatened gun violence at his children's school, St. Mary's in Mokena," Bodach told everyone Monday. "He arrived at the school as a concerned parent, one who volunteers there many days a week, and he arrived there knowing three things. Law enforcement had not been notified. Parents had not been notified and that the student was not removed from the classroom, pending any evaluation."

Bodach said this incident happened just three days after the school shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan, that left four students, ages 14 t0 17, dead.

"Deputy Goewey was concerned for the safety of his children and the children of all the parents in that school, many of whom are behind us today in full support of deputy Goewey," Bodach declared.

Last May, Goewey received the Distinguish Service Award from the Will County Sheriff’s Office for bravery, quick actions and proficient knowledge, Bodach said. In receiving the reward, Goewey captured a violent offender in Joliet who is now charged with attempted murder after a dangerous struggle on September 30, 2020, according to Bodach.

Goewey still remains on paid medical leave from the Will County Sheriff's Office, and he said he is expected to undergo surgery in May.

While recovering from his injuries from that incident, Goewey volunteered at St. Mary’s in Mokena. In December, Goewey learned that a student had previously made a gun threat in the same classroom as his daughter, his lawyer said.

Goewey and another parent went to St. Mary's in Mokena to address the issue and requested they remove the student from the class.

Rather than listening to the concerned parent and decorated Will County Sheriff's deputy, the administrators of St. Mary’s chose to ask him to leave the premises and ultimately requested criminal charges, Bodach said.

Following Monday's hearing, supporters of Goewey told Patch the criminal charges were sought by the Diocese of Joliet. The Mokena Police Department conducted the investigation that resulted in the disorderly conduct offense.