[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 201 (Thursday, December 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S14136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CHARLES E. BRUEGGEMAN

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today I would like to recognize the 
extraordinary work of First Deputy Director Charles E. Brueggemann of 
the Illinois State Police. Mr. Brueggeman has served with distinction 
for 25 years with the Illinois State Police, including as second in 
command of the department since April 1, 2008.
  Mr. Brueggemann began his outstanding career with the Illinois State 
Police in 1985, serving in patrol, as well as a variety of 
investigative positions to include narcotics, homicides and crimes 
against persons. He also served during his tenure in management 
positions that contributed greatly to the department and community he 
served. Those positions included district commander, executive officer, 
assistant deputy director, deputy director and first deputy director.
  As first deputy director, Mr. Brueggemann oversaw the agency's five 
divisions--operations, forensics, information and technology command, 
internal investigations, and administration. He was responsible for the 
oversight of the director's principal advisors assigned to legislative 
affairs, public information, inspections and budget.
  In his prior position, Mr. Brueggemann had oversight of the 
operations division, with wide-ranging responsibilities including 
patrol, investigations, homeland security and gaming. While serving in 
that capacity, Mr. Brueggemann was charged with coordinating a plan to 
reduce highway fatalities. Under his leadership, the division developed 
a remarkable strategy that reduced highway crashes to their lowest 
level in 87 years.
  In other honors, he was selected in 2005 by the FBI to attend a 
counterterrorism leadership program that involved traveling abroad with 
seven other major city, State, and Federal law enforcement executives 
to share information and open lines of communications between different 
nations in the fight against terrorism. Law enforcement officials from 
Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Canada also participated.
  Mr. Brueggemann received his bachelors degree from McKendree 
University and a masters degree in Homeland Defense and Security from 
the Naval Postgraduate School. Married for more than two decades to his 
wife Susan, they have two daughters Beth and Ali.
  I congratulate Mr. Brueggeman on his retirement and thank him for his 
service to the people of Illinois.

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