With A Combined 64 Years Of Service, A Pair Of Senior Northbrook Officers Retire

NORTHBROOK, IL — Two senior police officers, each with more than three decades of service, are retiring from the Northbrook Police Department. Deputy Chief Lou Caruso and Community Relations Supervisor Dan Petka were honored with congratulatory resolutions and standing ovations at a June 27 Northbrook Board of Trustees meeting.

"I look back and it was 30 years of some great memories, great times working for a great community," Caruso said. "Know that everybody's in great hands. It's a great department, there are some great, great folks who are still there who will carry on the mission," Caruso said.

"It's been an honor to work for this police department and this village. It's been a great career, and there's a lot of people here I'm going to really miss for a long time," Petka said. (Sign up for our free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts for the Northbrook Patch.)

In addition to celebrating the careers of the two longtime officers with a combined 64 years of law enforcement experience, three Northbrook officers were promoted at the meeting last month. Roger Adkins, who is replacing Caruso as deputy chief of operations, was promoted to commander, Tony Matheny was also promoted to commander and Chip Hulne was promoted to sergeant.

The Village of Northbrook has not announced a replacement for Petka, now twice retired from the Northbrook Police Department, as supervisor of community and media relations.

Find below the complete resolutions honoring Caruso and Petka and detailing some of the highlights of their careers:

Resolution Recognizing Deputy Chief Louis M. Caruso for his 30 Years of Service

Lou Caruso was hired by the Village as a Patrol Officer in March of 1987. Lou graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and has received his Master’s Degree in Management of Public Services from DePaul University. After spending two and 1/2 years in Patrol, Lou was transferred to the Investigations Unit in January of 1989 as a Detective. Upon scoring first on the 1997 Sergeant’s Test, Lou was promoted to Sergeant in November of 1999 and returned to Patrol supervising a shift. On September 1, 2000, Lou was transferred to Administration serving as the Planning and Training Sergeant for two years until his return to Investigations in 2002 as the Unit Sergeant. In July, 2003, Lou was promoted to Commander and he returned to command a patrol shift.

On December 1, 2004, Lou was assigned to the Administration Division working for the Chief’s office on special assignments and projects until his inevitable return to his first love, Investigations, to Command the Investigations Unit. Lou was promoted to Deputy Chief of Technical Services in June of 2008 and then to Deputy Chief of Field Operations in October, 2011.

In December of 2009, Lou graduated from the 239th Session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities. The 10-week invitation-only program provides coursework in leadership, intelligence theory, terrorism, management science, law, behavioral science, communication, forensic science and physical fitness which serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

During Lou’s career, he has served as a member and Team Leader of NORTAF’s Major Crime Investigative Task Force, received honorable mention while serving with NORTAF, was invited to participate on several internal and external position selection processes, graduated from the Southern Police Institute Staff and Command School, and has been a Defensive Tactics/Self-Defense Instructor, Safety Review Board member, member of the Citizen’s Emergency Rescue Unit (CERU), Deer Culling Program Coordinator, School Resource/Liaison Officer with Northwest Suburban Special Education, Vice President of the Police Association, and, probably because Lou wanted to make sure he had a role in every area of the department, he did a short stint in Community Relations.

Lou worked tirelessly with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners on hiring new recruits and promotions. He made a professional commitment to see that Northbrook hired the best candidates.

Lou is valued by his peers and associates here at Northbrook and the law enforcement community. He has received numerous recognitions and commendations from Northbrook residents and business owners as well as other police departments and outside agencies, including the Inspector General’s Office.

Lou has seen a lot of movement in his career, has done an excellent job in all his endeavors and we wish him well on his future inspirations and activities in his retirement after 30 years and 4 four months of service to the Village of Northbrook.

Resolution Recognizing Supervisor Dan Petka for his 34 Years of Service

Community Relations Supervisor Daniel J. Petka first retired from the Northbrook Police Department on August 5, 2004 after serving the Village of Northbrook for twenty-six years. Dan was originally hired by Northbrook as a Patrol Officer on March 15, 1978 and served in the Uniform Patrol Section of Field Operations until he was assigned as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit in 1988. He served in that capacity for two years until his reassignment to Uniform Patrol in December of 1989.

As a Police Officer, Dan was an active participant in the Department’s Field Training Program, a Juvenile Officer and an Evidence Technician. Dan was also a member of the Northbrook Police Association serving on the Board as President and Secretary. Dan received several department commendations and was recognized as Officer of the Month for a valorous attempt to save a person from an overturned burning automobile. In 1985, the George W. Benjamin American Legion Outstanding Police Officer Award was given to Supervisor Petka.

After enjoying retirement for almost five years, Dan agreed to return to police work as a Community Service Officer in 2009. In 2013, Dan was promoted to Supervisor of the Community Relations Unit and the Property and Evidence Manager. Knowing the community as Dan did through his twenty-six years in Patrol, he was instrumental in keeping the unit and programs running smoothly and efficiently.

During his years in Community Relations, Dan supervised the Crossing Guards and several part-time Community Service Officers who through his mentoring have gone on to become full-time Police Officers with various departments. Dan was also responsible for the Citizen Police Academy, assisted NORTAF with their Major Crash Assistance Team, and has presented hundreds of safety and security presentations to residents, business owners and scouting troops, in addition to school, library and park district events.

Dan’s personnel file contains many commendatory letters from residents, businesses and neighboring law enforcement agencies that span the length of his career. His dedication and loyalty to the Northbrook Police Department and the residents of Northbrook has made a lasting impression.

Top photo: Outgoing Northbrook Police Deputy Chief Lou Caruso is honored for his 30 years of service at a June 27 Village Board meeting | via Village of Northbrook