Romeoville Names Police Officer of the Year

The recently named Tom Dorsey “Officer of the Year.”

In addition to patrolling the streets and neighborhoods of the village, the five-year veteran of the department serves as a field-training and all-terrain-vehicle officer, is a member of the bike patrol unit and recently became a certified child-safety-seat instructor.  

He also volunteered his assistance in developing the department's upcoming youth police academy, which will take place June 25-29

Romeoville Police Chief Mark Turvey said Dorsey often participates in initiatives designed by the department’s CompStat program, which, according to Police Chief Magazine, helps police "collect, analyze, and map crime data and other essential police performance measures on a regular basis, and hold police managers accountable for their performance as measured by these data.”

“Tom performs these assignments with thoroughness and an intense desire to solve problems within the community,” Turvey said.  “(He) is relentless in his pursuit of criminals and compassionate and sensitive to the needs of victims and the community. Tom is always willing to assist his fellow officers, and he is quick to respond to the requests of his supervisors.”

At a ceremony last week to honor the officer of the year, Turvey cited several examples of what he described as Dorsey’s “outstanding police work”:

• In June, Dorsey was one of the first officers on the scene of a traffic altercation on Romeo Road and Route 53 in which one of the participants was critically injured and later died. He gathered vital information from witnesses and later obtained a statement that resulted in the arrest of a subject who was later charged with aggravated battery to a senior citizen.
• In September, Dorsey and another officer were on bike patrol in the area of the Highpoint apartments when a call came in of an armed subject dragging a female into an apartment.  The officer assisted in establishing a perimeter and continued to contribute to the department’s response to the incident until the suspect peaceably surrendered.
• In October, Dorsey and other patrol officers developed vital information about a rash of graffiti in the St. Andrew’s area, resulting in a confession and the solving of fifteen separate acts of graffiti.

“Officer Dorsey’s love of his profession and his dedication to duty is evident in the quality of his work,” said Turvey in his remarks at the ceremony.“Tom comes to work each day with a positive attitude and desire to help others.  (He) is appreciated by his supervisors, respected by his peers, and admired by the citizens he serves.

“The Romeoville Police Department and the Village of Romeoville are truly fortunate to have Officer Dorsey as a member of the Department,” the chief said.

Dream career has come true

Dorsey’s interest in law enforcement began in high school, when he became involved in the Police Explorer program with the Mt. Prospect Police Department. From there, he followed his dream by serving as a community service officer with the Addison Police Department from 1997-2006.

In September of 2006, Dorsey found a home in Romeoville, when he began serving as a police officer assigned to the patrol division.

“I enjoy working with the men and women of the Romeoville Police Department because it is always a team effort with some of the best officers in the business,” Dorsey said.  “I would not have been able to achieve any of these accomplishments without their help and guidance.”