SAILSBERY SWORN-IN AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  Rebecca Sailsbery was sworn-in as Deputy Chief of Police once again last week privately and formally Tuesday night during the Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Sailsbery previously had served as Deputy Chief of Police from 2007 to 2010 and Interim Chief of Police from October 2010 to December, 2010.

Sailsbery has been serving as the Department’s Administrative Sergeant since 2010 through the tumultuous times of former Chief Frank Martin, who had the shortest tenure in Sauk Village history.  Also, during the 18 months of Tim Holevis as “acting” Chief of Police, the temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox from November, 2011 to November 1, 2012 when the Fire Chief Al Stoffregan became the defacto Chief of Police after the Village Board eliminated the Chief of Police position to prevent Lewis Towers from keeping Fox.  Holevis was then appointed Deputy Chief of Police until after the election in 2013 when the reinstated the position of Chief of Police. 

Mayor David Hanks hired an outside firm to find a Chief of Police in 2013, then reversed course suddenly and appointed Tim Holevis, a 28 year veteran of the Department and Sergeant as Chief of Police.  Hanks then used the firm to conduct a search for a Deputy Chief, despite the fact that the Department had qualified internal candidates.  In the end Sailsbery was the one that the firm recommended, however, the appointment has taken over 1 year to become a reality.

Sailsbery was hired by the Sauk Village Police Department in April, 1993 and served as a Patrol Officer until 2000 when she was promoted to Juvenile Investigator where she worked closely with the Sauk Village Schools and assisted in managing the now defunct Police Cadet program.  In 2002, Sailsbery was promoted to Sergeant, elected as union representative and also to the Sauk Village Police Pension Board.  In 2007 she was appointed Deputy Chief of Police by former Chief of Police Tom Lacheta and was served on the Village’s 9-1-1 Board.

Sailsbery has recently completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Governors State University and also a Bachelorette Degree in Law Enforcement Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph. 

“I’m very happy to serve the people of Sauk Village for the last 21 years and I’m proud to be a member of the Sauk Village Police Department” Sailsbery said. 

Details of Salisbury’s employment agreement were available Tuesday night.

2 CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF NATE BURNS

Nate Burns killed August 14th

MARKHAM | On August 14, 2014 at approximately 1:45pm, the Sauk Village Police 911 Center received a report of several people shot, in the 1700 Block of Sauk Trail Rd., Sauk Village, Illinois.  Upon arrival, officers learned 4 people had been wounded by gunfire.  All the victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.  One male victim, Nathaniel Burns, 16, of Sauk Village later died from his injuries. 

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned the identity of three suspects.  Two suspects have been apprehended and were both charged late Monday night by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.  Charged with First Degree Murder are Lamika Overall, 19, of Steger and Shaquille Wilson, 20 of Sauk Village.  The third suspect has been identified as, Devon Stidwell, 19, of Ford Heights and a warrant for First Degree Murder has been issued.

Wilson and Overall appeared in bond court in Markham.  Wilson's bond was set at $2 million and Overall's was set at $750,000.  A hearing is scheduled for September according to court officials.

Stidwell is described as 6'01/181lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes and is known to frequent the Sauk Village, Ford Heights, Chicago Heights areas.  The Sauk Village Police Department Detective Division, along with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force is asking anyone who may know the whereabouts of Mr. Stidwell are asked to contact the Sauk Village Police department at 708-758-1331.

Friends and family held a candle light vigil for Burns where he was gunned down on Friday night.  Burns' funeral is planned for this Thursday and is a private family affair.