Park Forest-(ENEWSPF)- Last night at the Village Board meeting, a resolution honoring Chief Clifford Butz was read by Mayor John Ostenburg. Chief Butz is retiring at the end of January with over 32 years of service to the Park Forest Police Department, and 35 total years in law enforcement.
Throughout his career, Chief Butz served in the Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a multi-agency narcotics task force, and served in every position within the Investigations Unit of the Police Department before his promotions to Deputy Chief and then Chief.
Chief Butz was chosen as Officer of the Year in 1988, 1995, and 2000, and received a total of 65 departmental awards, allowing him to retire as the most decorated officer in the history of the department.
We wish Chief Butz all the best as he enters retirement, and thank him for his many years of service to the people of Park Forest and the State of Illinois.
The resolution honoring Chief Butz follows:
A RESOLUTION THANKING CLIFFORD BUTZ FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST
WHEREAS Cliff Butz grew up in the town of Oak Lawn and graduated from Carl Sandburg High School; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Illinois University with a minor in Public Broadcasting; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz married Patricia Azzone in 1979, who would become Patti Butz and his wife and partner of 35 years and counting; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz began his law enforcement career in 1979 with the Rock Island Railroad; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz served as a part-time police officer for the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, and the Villages of Palos Park and Palos Heights from 1979 to 1983; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz joined the Park Forest Police Department on January 2, 1983 and graduated with highest academic honors from the Chicago Police Academy Metro Class 83-108; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz served in the Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a multi-agency narcotics task force, from 1990 to 1992, and served in the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division as Detective, Detective Corporal, and Detective Commander throughout his career; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz investigated dozens of homicides, hundreds of other serious felony crimes against persons incidents, and hundreds of narcotics cases, including numerous large scale seizures of drugs and US currency throughout his career; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1997, to the rank of Commander in 2001, and to the rank of Captain in 2004; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Staff and Command in 2004; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief in 2005 serving as the head of both the Administrative and Field Operations divisions; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police in 2011; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz instituted the B.I.C.Y.C.L.E Program, which uses funds seized through narcotics arrests to partner with Park Forest schools, giving bicycles to students at area schools every month and fostering relationships between Park Forest Police Officers, schools, and students; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz received the Combat Star after he was shot in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS Cliff Butz was chosen as Officer of the Year in 1988, 1995, and 2000, received 13 Meritorious Awards, numerous outside agency awards, and a total of 65 departmental awards, making him the most decorated officer in the history of the Park Forest Police Department; and
WHEREAS after more than 32 years of loyal and devoted service to the Village of Park Forest and its residents, Cliff Butz will retire on February 2, 2015 to spend more time with his wife, Patti, and to enjoy pursuing his several hobbies, including his passion for the game of golf.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, that the warmest appreciation of the Board, on behalf of the residents and businesses of the Village of Park Forest, be expressed to Cliff Butz for his years of service to the Village of Park Forest.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and the Board wish Cliff Butz the best of luck as he sets out on whatever new path he chooses to follow, and may he take time out to enjoy time with his wife, family and friends.
Source: PFPD, VOPF
