Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago today honored the exemplary service of Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department personnel at the Carter Harrison and Lambert Tree Awards ceremony at City Hall.

“Day after day, these brave men and women in our Police and Fire departments selflessly serve our City, putting their duty above potential danger to keep our residents safe and communities strong,” said Mayor Emanuel. “From being the first on the scene to the last on patrol, Chicago's finest play an integral role in building a better, more resilient City.”

Firefighter Joseph Martinelli of Squad Company 2 received the 2016 Carter Harrison Award. The Firefighter Award of Valor went to Deputy District Chief Ronald Dorneker and Captain Michael Spencer, and the Paramedic Award of Valor to Fire Paramedic Wendell Perkins. Paramedic Award of Valor special honorable mentions included Ambulance Commander Jennifer L. Schulz, Paramedic-in-Charge Joseph Summers, Paramedic Mark Madonia, and Firefighter/EMT Cesar Arroyo. Fire Department Honorable Mention Awards included Battalion Chief James M. Jablonowski and Lieutenant/EMT Lee W. Sullivan.

Eleventh District Police Officers Jacek R. Leja and Justin A. Raether received the 2016 Lambert Tree Award. Additionally, six members received Special Honorable Mentions: Officer Phillip J. Renault, Officer Chris J. Bard, Officer Zachary A. Davidson, Officer Daniel Poniatowski, Officer Dominik Drozdel, and Officer Zaid F. Abdallah.

2016 Carter Harrison Award Firefighter Joseph Martinelli
The 2016 Carter Harrison Award is awarded to Firefighter Joseph Martinelli of Squad Company 2.

Firefighter Martinelli is receiving the award for bravely rescuing a fellow firefighter from a burning building that had partially collapsed. While responding to a fast spreading fire in a 100-year old building in Lincoln Square, the building partially collapsed, and the team exited. Upon hearing a transmitted Mayday Response notifying him of a missing fireman trapped inside the building, Firefighter Martinelli re-entered the burning and smoke-filled apartment alone following a second collapse and successfully rescued his fellow firefighter.

2016 Lambert Tree Award- Police Officers Jacek R. Leja and Justin A. Raether
The 2016 Lambert Tree Award is awarded to Police Officers Jacek R. Leja and Justin A. Raether of the 11th District.

Officers Leja and Raether are receiving the award for valiantly responding to a domestic incident and rescuing two women who were being held hostage at gunpoint inside an apartment. After one hostage escaped, the officers heard a gunshot from inside the apartment. In response, Officers Leja and Raether broke down the door but were faced with the offender pointing a gun at them. After gaining a tactical advantage, the officers were able to find and rescue the critically injured victim who was hiding behind the refrigerator.

In 1885, the City Council established the Carter H. Harrison and the Lambert Tree medals to recognize the actions of select members of the Fire Department and Police Department. Every other year, the recipient of each of these recognitions alternates between the CFD and the CPD. This year, the Lambert Tree Medal is being awarded to members of the CPD, while the Carter H. Harrison Medal is being awarded to a member of the CFD.

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