At the July 19, 2021 Village Board Meeting, Mayor Missey and the Board of Trustees proudly presented the annual Citizen and Officer of the Year Awards to Cordero Ortiz and Officer Mike Liebermann (respectively) for their outstanding contributions to our community. Read more below about each individual and why they were chosen as this year's recipients.
Cordero Ortiz - Citizen of the Year
Cordero was nominated by his neighbor for the Citizen of the Year Award due to the impact he had on his neighbors and community at-large during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cordero made and donated nearly 20,000 face mask straps to hospitals, law enforcement and essential personnel. In his neighborhood, Cordero and his family decorated every home with flags in the front yard for the 4th of July. He led an Easter egg hunt for neighborhood children, ran the neighborhood subdivision party, and even held a drive-up movie night in his yard for his neighbors to enjoy. Cordero also helped found the nonprofit H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Enjoy), which collects donations, hosts events and offers continuing education opportunities for those in need locally. Upon learning that he was this year's Citizen of the Year recipient, Cordero stated: "We don't do what we do for recognition, but I am honored to have been chosen to receive it."
Officer Mike Liebermann - Officer of the Year
Officer Michael Libermann joined the Channahon Police family in November of 2017. During his short tenure with the agency, Mike has made some very impactful contributions to the Channahon community, including Channahon's largest drug seizure and several lifesaving awards through the use of Narcan and the automated external defibrillator.
Mike showed great propensity and a strong desire to give back to the organization from the beginning. In addition to his patrol duties, he became a Field Training Officer, Asset Forfeiture Coordinator, and Certified Juvenile Officer. Additionally, he became an integral part of the department's firearms program as a state certified Master Firearms Instructor.
Officer Liebermann takes a very active role in reports assigned to him. Mike is never content to document an incident. He investigates and follows up on his calls for service; he draws on experience and training to determine proximate causes for crimes and complaints, and works to mitigate those causes. Mike demonstrates natural leadership qualities when on patrol and managing his duties.
His dedicated approach to policing brings recognition to himself and the Channahon Police Department. Officer Mike Liebermann's efforts continue to make Channahon a safer community to live in.
Mike's self-initiated field activity is consistently among the highest in the department year after year. In 2020, his self-initiated contacts were 2.5 times the department average for patrol officers.
Among his numerous accomplishments this year in patrol, he was recognized by multiple citizens for assistance above and beyond their expectations. He received a Letter of Commendation for his actions and efforts surrounding several vehicle burglaries and a stolen auto, which lead to the arrest of one offender. Additionally, he received a Letter of Commendation for the life-saving administering of Naloxone; he received another Life Saving Award for his actions and efforts during a suicide attempt.
Even through the COVID pandemic, Officer Liebermann found ways to stay connected with the community by participating in numerous birthday parades and drive-bys. His continued mentorship with young officers and new hires as a Field Training Officer has been an invaluable asset not only this year, but over the last few years in that role.
Lastly, he was recognized by the Chief of Police with a Certificate of Achievement for his work and accomplishments in traffic enforcement and roadway safety, and the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for his efforts in impaired driving enforcement.
Mike's contributions and dedication to the police department, fellow first-responders, and residents of our community, is a reflection of our values and is an example for others to follow.