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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Lee County Sheriff's Lieutenant To Receive Award
From Illinois State Bar Association

Lieutenant Gary Hart, of Dixon, a member of the Lee County Sheriff's Department, will receive the 2004 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on Thursday, May 20, at 9:00 a.m., in courtroom B at the courthouse in Dixon.

The award is being given in recognition of Lieutenant Hart's professionalism and compassion beyond the call of duty and his commitment to helping the community. ISBA President-elect Ole B. Pace III will present the award.

In his nomination letter, Dixon attorney Robert J. Thompson, a former public defender, said that Hart "embodies the standard of a selfless law enforcement officer who always demonstrated to me, and the people of Lee County, an excellent sense of judgment and compassion on the job."

Lt. Hart has a reputation of fairness, especially when it comes to making proper arrests and performing community policing. He is rarely, if ever, challenged on the facts of a case in a court of law, a testament to his professionalism. During his 18-year career, Lt. Hart has successfully administered CPR on at least three occasions, and has assisted other emergency departments in rescues.

His community activities have included setting up the area schools' emergency contingency plans, creating and teaching procedures for emergencies within the schools. He is also instrumental in recruiting sheriff's volunteer reserves from area communities to assist the Sheriff's Department with coordinating special events and providing additional security. He has spearheaded three fundraisers since 1994, which enabled the department to hire three new officers to assist in the prevention of drug crimes.

Lt. Hart, who was diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer in 2001, was at one point given six months to one year to live. According to Thompson: "Gary Hart is not only a fighter for life, he is a committed law enforcement officer who returned to the Sheriff's Department earlier than doctors recommended….He refuses to give up on a career mission which is serving the people of his community he has been sworn to protect."

The Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement.

The 30,000-member Illinois State Bar Association, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.