[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2632-E2633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING A NORTH CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Detective Luis Rivera of 
the North Chicago Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team. Besides 
fulfilling his duties as a narcotics and gang investigator since May 
2005, Detective Rivera also serves on the North Chicago Police 
Department Major Crime Evidence Team, as a firearms instructor, tech 
officer, bike patrolman and former SWAT officer. Beyond his tireless 
dedication to the department, Detective Rivera has consistently 
displayed an extraordinary commitment to his community.
  In January of this year while working undercover, Detective Rivera 
purchased 4 ounces of cocaine from a criminal resulting in four arrests 
and the seizure of 116.6 grams cocaine, one Chevy Blazer and $4,977. 
Detective Rivera also developed a narcotics gang conspiracy case on 
members of the Four Corner Hustler street gang operating in North 
Chicago that came to a conclusion on February 28, 2007. Through the use 
of confidential informants and undercover officers, 39 indictments were 
issued on 12 of the Four Corner Hustler street gang members by the Lake 
County States Attorney office. This investigation halted violence in 
the area.
  In June he developed an informant that infiltrated a crew that was 
robbing local drug dealers. While gathering information to make a case, 
the leader of the group and member of the Gangster Disciples street 
gang committed a home invasion, resulting in the violent death of a 
young female along with 2 males who

[[Page E2633]]

were seriously wounded. Lake County Major Crimes Taskforce investigated 
the crime and had murder warrants. Detective Rivera then developed an 
operational plan to take the suspect into custody. The detective used 
his informant to lure the suspect to a location on July 3, 2007, to 
discuss doing another robbery. Members of the North Chicago SWAT team 
arrested the suspect upon his arrival.
  Last August Detective Rivera used an informant to infiltrate another 
armed robbery crew along with an undercover ATF agent. On October 25, 
2007, the North Chicago Tactical Narcotics Team. agents from ATF and 
their SWAT officers as well as Waukegan Net Agents conducted a sting on 
this crew, arresting four Gangster Disciples and the recovery of a hand 
gun. All 4 subjects were charged through the United States Attorneys 
office.
  Detective Rivera is truly taking criminals off the streets, making 
our community safer. Our district is fortunate to have police officers, 
like the detective, who risk their lives every day. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in honoring him today.

                          ____________________