Oak Park Police Sergeant Derrick Verge has received one of the highest honors in Illinois law enforcement for his actions responding to the killing of Detective Allan Reddins.
Verge received the Police Medal of Valor award from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police during the July 1 Oak Park village board meeting. Verge, an Oak Park native and a more than 20-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department, received the honor for his response to the Nov. 29, 2024 fatal shooting of his fellow officer.
“Thank you for bringing this award to us this evening and for the honor that I know we all wish never had to happen,” Village President Vicki Scaman said. “We are incredibly proud of you and our entire police force.”
The ceremony began with a moment of silence for Reddins’ sacrifice. He was the first Oak Park police officer killed while on duty since 1938.
Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Jackson was emotional in her speech thanking Verge for his service and honoring Reddins.
“His courageous acts brought an end to a deadly assault against members of the Oak Park Police Department,” Jackson said. “Sergeant Verge, we thank you for your courage, for your leadership and for your service.”
Verge shot and injured the alleged shooter, Jerell Thomas, a 37-year-old Chicago man, moments after Thomas had opened fire on Reddins. Reddins had attempted to stop Thomas after receiving a report that the man had brandished a firearm inside a nearby bank.
Thomas is awaiting trial in the Cook County Department of Corrections Division Eight facility. His next court date is set for Aug. 18 as he faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder among 56 total felony counts.
Patrick Kreis, chief of the Vernon Hills Police Department, recounted Verge’s actions that day before presenting him with the medal.
“Upon hearing a radio broadcast of shots fired, Sergeant Derrick Verge on his own initiative left the scene of a domestic incident and responded to the area. Upon arriving, Sergeant Verge spoke to an eyewitness who was able to direct them to the location of the shooter,” Kreis said. “Sergeant Verge ran through Scoville Park to close the distance with the shooter. When Sergeant Verge located the shooter, he radioed to other officers the location and noted that the shooter was still armed and taking cover behind a concrete pillar by the library. Recognizing the immediate deadly threat posed to the public and his fellow officers, Sergeant Verge fired two rounds striking and downing the shooter from a distance of 40 yards. Sergeant Verge and other officers approached the down suspect, secured the 9 mm pistol he had used, placed him under arrest and administered first aid to treat his wounds.”