Gov. Pritzker awards Medal of Honor to Rockford Police officer

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police Officer Jon Vargas was awarded the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor from Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly on Thursday.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to officers who performed acts of heroism.

Officer Vargas lost his former K9 partner, Nyx, in a shooting on January 28th, 2024.

According to police, Malik Trotter, 28, shot and killed the K9 during a police pursuit that ended in the 2900 block of 11th Street.

Police were able to track a phone stolen from the scene to an 11th Street address. K9 Officer Jon Vargas spotted Trotter and a foot chase ensued, during which K9 Nyx was shot and killed.

Trotter allegedly shot at Vargas, and was shot in the leg by returned fire.

In April, the police department announced Vargas would partner with a new 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, named K9 Rip.

Twenty-three officers from 10 police agencies were honored in Springfield today.

“Today, we pay tribute to our heroic police officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while protecting our communities,” said Pritzker. “From Palatine to Chicago to Granite City, our honorees saved lives and offered comfort and support to countless others. While we will never be able to repay their bravery in full, we hope that this recognition can serve as a public reminder of our gratitude and a symbol of the sincere reverence we hold them in.”

The 2024 recipients for the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor being honored this year are:

Chicago Police Department

Officer Roy De La Huerta
Officer Michelle Drapala
Officer Edwin J. Gramajo
Officer Luis M. Huesca
Officer Omar Jimenez
Officer Carlos Martinez
Officer Enrique Martinez

Chillicothe Police Department

Officer David J. Buchanan

Cicero Police Department

Officer Luis Martinez
Officer Reynol Ramos

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Christina M. Musil

DeKalb Police Department

Officer Brian Bollow
Chief David Byrd
Sergeant Keunte Mallett

East Moline Police Department

Sergeant William R. Lind

Granite City Police Department

Officer Douglas B. Nicoson

Illinois State Police

Trooper Clay M. Carns
Trooper Adam D. Fitts
Master Sergeant Ross A. Green
Trooper Corey S. Thompsen
Trooper Blake D. Thompson

Palatine Police Department

Officer Shane P. Murray

Rockford Police Department

Officer Jonathan A. Vargas