Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly was joined by ISP command staff to recognize the noble contributions made by sworn and civilian members of the ISP, local law enforcement agencies, and the public.
The Awards Ceremony was held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, and paid tribute to the acts of heroism and professionalism displayed by the men and women who were honored during the event. Each award recipient was recognized for their exemplary service to the ISP and the citizens of Illinois.
“Every day, when the men and women of the ISP go to work, they protect our families and communities,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “These men and women are well-trained, smart, hard-working professionals, and they bravely accept the inherent challenges and responsibilities of being on the job.”
Among the award recipients were three individuals who received special recognition for exemplary service: Trooper Brian Frank, Special Agent Robert A. Diaz, Telecommunicator Specialist Heather Nolan, and Forensic Scientist III Edward Rottman.
Officer of the Year, Trooper Brian W. Frank
Assigned to the Division of Patrol Support Services Command’s Criminal Patrol (CRIMPAT) Unit, Trooper Brian Frank exemplifies the tenets of the Illinois State Police – Integrity, Service, and Pride. His work ethic, passion for criminal interdiction, desire to serve, and especially his courage, are all beyond measure. Trooper Frank’s unwavering dedication to serve and protect the people of Illinois has been reflected through the performance of his duties as well as his interdiction and lifesaving efforts.
Trooper Frank’s desire to promote highway safety and remove dangerous criminals and drugs from our roadways has not only helped provide safety for our citizens but also serves as an example to other officers. As part of the CRIMPAT Unit, Trooper Frank is directly responsible for seizing over half a million dollars in illicit currency as well as making a multitude of significant drug seizures. His actions have had a significant impact in contraband and criminal traffic on Illinois roadways. During his time on the CRIMPAT Unit, Trooper Frank has also enjoyed teaching and mentoring other officers. Trooper Frank is an Associate Instructor with the Drug Interdiction Assistance Program. As the interim Chicagoland Criminal Interdiction Coordinator, Trooper Frank has planned, organized, and conducted numerous successful Regional CRIMPAT Details. Trooper Frank has proved to be one of the most talented interdiction officers in the history of the Illinois State Police. Trooper Frank’s desire to make a difference, along with his humility and work ethic, make him a leader amongst his peers.
Trooper Frank has also been involved in a variety of critical incidents where he has consistently performed admirably, displaying a high level of professionalism and decisiveness. In March 2020, Trooper Frank and another officer came upon a vehicle on the side of the road. Both officers observed a passenger of the vehicle unconscious, not breathing and blue in the face. Trooper Frank began chest compressions while the second officer administered NARCAN. The efforts of both officers resulted in a life being saved. More recently, in February 2021, Trooper Frank was critically injured after placing himself in harm’s way at the scene of a traffic crash in order to help protect the lives of others. Trooper Frank has admirably upheld his oath to the people of Illinois.
Agent of the Year, Special Agent Robert A. Diaz
Special Agent Robert Diaz, assigned to Zone 1 of the Division of Criminal Investigation, exemplifies the tenets of the Illinois State Police – Integrity, Service, and Pride. Special Agent Diaz has become recognized by his supervisors and peers as an intelligent, competent, and hard-working investigator who is frequently sought out to assist in long term investigations. He is highly regarded by his co‑workers and routinely provides invaluable assistance, direction, and guidance with their investigations.
In 2020, Special Agent Diaz investigated numerous high-profile, violent crime cases, resulting in 17 case openings, 164 investigative reports, 19 search warrants, and 4 operation orders for arrests. Special Agent Diaz participated in 7 homicide investigations, 19 aggravated battery with a firearm investigations, 13 aggravated discharge of a firearm investigations, 2 death investigations, and 3 criminal sexual assault investigations. Special Agent Diaz has proven to be an invaluable member of the Division. He seeks training and remains well‑informed of technological services that are available in the field. This allows him to consider new and innovative ways to use technology to investigate crime. He takes it upon himself to teach fellow agents how to apply these new investigative tools and does not give up on finding new resources to further his and other agent’s cases.
In addition to his outstanding efforts as an investigator, Special Agent Diaz has taken-on extra responsibilities in carrying out the mission of Zone 1. Special Agent Diaz is a certified Cellebrite analyst and frequently performs cellular data extractions from cellular devices related to Zone 1 Violent Crime and Public Integrity Task Force (PITF) investigations. Additionally, Special Agent Diaz has received training in using the ZETX cellular data mapping software and frequently performs mapping for his own criminal investigations, as well as those being conducted by his peers. Special Agent Diaz also maintains the VCU NCE fingerprint scanner and assists fellow agents in obtaining identifications from unidentified individuals during death investigations and criminal investigations.
Telecommunicator of the Year, Telecommunicator Specialist Heather Nolan Telecommunicator Heather Nolan has proudly served the Illinois State Police (ISP) for more than 19 years as a Telecommunicator Specialist. She began her career in 2002 at ISP District 6. On August 1, 2014, Pontiac Communications Center was created as a result of consolidation. Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan was instrumental throughout the successful transition to the consolidated center.
The COVID pandemic created many challenges for the Department in 2020, however, Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan consistently found time to assist with additional duties and responsibilities to include Cadet radio assessments and Probationary Troopers’ radio training. As a member of the Training Curriculum Committee, Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan poured hours into updating and rewriting the entire outdated training curriculum for Telecommunicator Trainees. Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan volunteered during her days off work to ensure the project progressed. The knowledge, expertise, and dedication displayed by Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan proved to be invaluable. Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan developed a reference sheet for Telecommunicators and patrol officers that allows them to quickly identify locations, townships, codes/dispositions, court information and phone numbers within District 6. The new reference sheet has proved to be extremely beneficial and effective.
Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan has been actively involved as a volunteer for Special Olympics for nearly 30 years. Each year she raises money and participates in numerous events on her own time and often at her own expense. She co-chairs the District 6 Holiday party, the proceeds from which are donated to charity each year. Telecommunicator Specialist Nolan is a valued and loyal employee who handles emergency situations in a professional and calm manner, even under the toughest circumstances. She is a great asset to the Pontiac Communication Center and the ISP.
Forensic Scientist of the Year, Forensic Scientist III Edward Rottman
Mr. Edward Rottman serves as a Forensic Scientist III in the Latent Prints section at the Rockford Forensic Science Laboratory. Throughout his career, he has been a model of professionalism, knowledge, and service. Mr. Rottman demonstrated his unwavering commitment to service in 2020 by distinguishing himself within the Forensic Sciences Command, Division of Forensic Services.
Mr. Rottman has consistently been a highly productive analyst and his commitment to providing high quality services to the criminal justice system has been exceptional. Law enforcement officers in several counties have praised Mr. Rottman’s exemplary work ethic, dedication, and competence. For example, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office cited the work Mr. Rottman conducted on the eighteenth supplemental examination of a double homicide case that occurred in 2016. In March 2020, the agency discovered a new suspect and resubmitted over 30 fingerprint lifts and prints cards from the crime scene for comparison. Mr. Rottman identified the new suspect’s fingerprints, thus finally linking an individual to the crime scene. In addition, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Rottman was instrumental to solving a series of car burglaries that occurred at Ashton, Illinois in the summer of 2020. Due to Mr. Rottman’s examinations, the fingerprints submitted were identified to suspects who still had the stolen property in their possession. Without Mr. Rottman’s prompt analysis, the property would not have been returned.
Mr. Rottman’s ability to maintain a high level of service and productivity while undertaking additional tasks at the laboratory has been outstanding. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Rottman volunteered to work on-site and greatly assisted with ensuring the continuity of laboratory services. In December, Mr. Rottman became a mentor to a new latent print examiner. Mr. Rottman’s technical expertise along with his approachable, welcoming nature made him an excellent choice to work with the new forensic scientist.
In his local community, Mr. Rottman has served on the school board since 2011 and often volunteered to help the school’s sports teams. Mr. Rottman is dedicated to fundraising for the Special Olympics. He participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Polar Plunge, and the annual Plane Pull at O’Hare Airport. He also has been an active member of his church community.
2020 Award Recipients:
Medal For Honor (3) Director’s Award of Distinction (45)
Lieutenant Timothy B. Sweeney Karen Bird
Trooper Eric S. Cowan Kevin Bird
Trooper Justin C. Lankford Detective Shaun Fletcher, CPD
Helen Gibson
Lifesaving Medal (19) Jeff Gibson
Lieutenant Sergio Ortiz SSA Bryan Hileman, IGB
Master Sergeant Brice A. Hager Mia Leverenz
Master Sergeant Matthew T. Peckham Robert McConkey
Master Sergeant Devin G. Watts Detective Joseph Merkel, CPD
Master Sergeant Craig A. Pool Tyler Morrisey
Sergeant Kimberly A. Cessna Retired M/Sgt James S. Rieck
Sergeant Kenneth Smith William H. Suggs, Jr.
Sergeant Douglas W. Yorke Illinois Department of Corrections
Special Agent Thomas J. Mockler Chief of Operations John Eilers
Trooper Stephanie L. Dickson Commander Zachary Sarver
Trooper Brian W. Frank Commander Dan Artl
Trooper Daniel Gutierrez Commander Robert Brown
Trooper Michael P. Hof Commander Chris Icenogle
Trooper Adam Lisowski Major Justin Hunziker
Trooper Patrick J. McCormack Major Steven Ryan
Trooper Stephaun M. Mosley Major Jesse Rosenberger
Trooper Benjamin W. Stringer Lieutenant Joseph Bennett
Trooper Matthew M. Szluka Lieutenant Nathan Birkner
Trooper Wesley S. Van Hook Lieutenant David Bogart
Lieutenant Kevin Cartwright
Purple Heart (2) Lieutenant Joe Curry
Trooper Brian W. Frank Lieutenant Michael Evans
Trooper Ryan D. Palmer Lieutenant Jason Ginder
Lieutenant Troy Hall
Meritorious Service Medal (4) Lieutenant Joshua Horton
Of the Year Winners Lieutenant Trent Karnes
Lieutenant Joseph McCray
Lieutenant Steven Mead
Lieutenant Jason Miles
Lieutenant William Myers
Lieutenant Scott Nodine
Lieutenant Brian Underwood
Lieutenant Brad Watkins
Sergeant Jonah Butler
Sergeant Jacob Clements
Sergeant Ryne Von Kannon
Sergeant Jade Leake
Sergeant Frank Spaulding, posthumously
Sergeant Monte Waterman
Officer Joshua Doss
Officer Christopher Mulvey
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
