The Homewood village board has passed a resolution honoring police Sgt. Dave Tobin on his retirement, promoted another office and hired a third to fill the void.
Retiring Homewood Police Sgt. David Tobin, left, with Police Chief Bill Alcott. Tobin was recognized by the village for his service and achievements. (Photo provided by the Homewood Police Department)
The Homewood village board has passed a resolution honoring police Sgt. Dave Tobin on his retirement, promoted another office and hired a third to fill the void.
Board members took the actions at the Aug. 22 meeting.
Jack Lenox, a Homewood police officer, takes the oath of office at the Aug. 22 village board meeting. Lenox was promoted to sergeant to replace the retiring Dave Tobin. (Photo by David P. Funk/H-F Chronicle)
Tobin joined the Homewood Police Department in 1991 after working in East Hazel Crest and Lynwood. He was promoted to sergeant in 2011 and worked as a tactical officer, detective and South Suburban Emergency Response Team member.
Tobin’s resume is filled with awards and commendations.
Homewood awarded him the police department’s Exceptional Service and Purple Heart awards. He earned medals of valor from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the South Suburban Chiefs of Police, the 100 Club of Cook County Valor Award and the American Police Hall of Fame Silver Star for Bravery.
Homewood’s newest police officer, Lawrence Garrett, takes the oath of office Aug. 22.
Tobin was given the Cook County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Award of Valor for his work during a robbery and hostage situation on May 11, 2002. He received the Homewood Medal of Valor for his actions during a robbery on Feb. 29, 1994.
In 2004, he was named an honorable mention Police Officer of the Year from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Tobin retired on Aug. 9.
“We’re now in a unique situation where, as Dave retires, we’re in a position to hire somebody to replace him as a patrol officer and also promote somebody as sergeant,” Chief Bill Alcott said. “We felt it was fitting that we did it all on one night.”
To fill that void, Officer Jack Lenox was promoted to the rank of sergeant on July 12. He took the oath of office at the Aug. 22 meeting.
Lawrence Garrett was hired as a full-time officer on Aug. 7. He also took the oath of office during the meeting. He has an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Aurora University. He’s currently in training at the Cook County Sheriff’s police academy.
