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Chris Ruys (312) 337-7746
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For Immediate Release
Friday, May 6, 2005
Thomas Templeton, sheriff of LaSalle County, will be presented with the 2005 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on Friday, May 6, at 11:45 a.m., at a meeting of the LaSalle County Bar Association to be held at the Deer Park Country Club in Oglesby.
The award is being given in recognition of Sheriff Templeton's extraordinary efforts on behalf of the residents of Utica in the aftermath of last year's tornado. Ole B. Pace III, of Sterling, ISBA president, will present the award.
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.
On April 20, 2004, Utica was struck by an F-3 tornado, which destroyed a large portion of the downtown business district as well as numerous residences. The tornado and its aftermath took the lives of nine people.
Sheriff Templeton and his deputies were at the scene within minutes after the tornado struck and immediately took control of a chaotic situation. Rescue efforts were underway for people trapped in a collapsed downtown building. Many homes needed to be searched for survivors. Power lines were down throughout the town, posing a significant danger to residents.
In his nomination of Sheriff Templeton, Peru attorney Herb Klein, of Zukowski & Associates, wrote: "The professional, respectful manner in which he and his department handled a difficult situation, which none of us had ever encountered, greatly aided and comforted the residents of Utica."
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.