NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

31 Riverside Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546

April 6, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Chief Tom Weitzel

708 447 2127 tweitzel@riverside.il.us

Judy Baar Topinka Honored as Public Official of the Year Posthumously

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police honor her with award

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the West Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police
honored former Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka with its 2014 Public Official of the Year award.
The presentation was made on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Ditka's restaurant in Oak Brook Terrace.
On hand to accept the award was Judy Baar Topinka's son Joe Topinka. Joe flew in from his home in
Texas to accept the award on behalf of his mother.
State Comptroller Judy Topinka was nominated for the award in November 2014 before her untimely
death. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Board voted to honor Judy posthumously at their
executive board meeting in late 2014.
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel worked directly with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
and Joe Topinka to ensure that Judy would be honored and Joe would be available to accept the award
here in Illinois. Chief Weitzel was on hand Wednesday to assist in presenting the award at the
banquet/luncheon held in Oak Brook Terrace.
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel stated, Judy Baar Topinka was a consistent supporter of law
enforcement personnel and public safety throughout the state of Illinois through her entire life in public
service. She was very active in issues surrounding police officer safety, legislation and supporting law
enforcement initiatives. On a personal note, Judy Baar Topinka swore me in as President of the West
Suburban Chiefs of Police Association in 2011. I was honored by her attendance at my installation
dinner as well as the time she spent with my family and me. As a Riverside resident, Judy had direct
contact with my officers and oftentimes would walk directly into the police department just to sit down
and talk to us on current events. She is truly missed.