Andrew S Chesney, State Representative for 89th District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=3215
Andrew S Chesney, State Representative for 89th District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=3215
Senator Andrew Chesney stated, "We are fortunate in this area to be represented by dedicated law-enforcement professionals who today didn’t think twice before entering a dangerous situation to help keep members of the community safe." He made the statement in a June 12 Facebook post about an incident that occurred that day in Ogle County.
"I want to thank Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle and his department, police officers from several communities, and the crisis negotiators and SWAT team members who responded to this incident in Ogle County today," said S Chesney, State Representative, according to Facebook. "The three deputies who were hit with gunfire are in my prayers, and I am pleased to hear they are expected to recover. We are fortunate in this area to be represented by dedicated law-enforcement professionals who today didn't think twice before entering a dangerous situation to help keep members of the community safe."
In his Facebook post, Chesney shared a link to a Fox32 Chicago news report about the shooting of three Ogle County deputies in Dixon. According to Fox 32, the situation began with a call to 9-1-1 from the suspect’s mother, who said her adult son was threatening homicide and suicide at a residence in the 400 block of Wild Rice Lane at 8:39 a.m. Deputies arrived at 9 a.m., and a SWAT team was deployed at 9:18 a.m. After the suspect failed to answer any of the more than 50 calls from authorities, police entered the home at 11:51 a.m. They discovered Jonathon G. Gounaris inside, armed with multiple weapons including guns, a fixed-blade knife, ballistic armor, and pepper spray.
Screenshot of Sen. Andrew Chesney's June 12 Facebook post
| Senator Andrew Chesney's Facebook page
On June 12, the Ogle County Sheriff's Office shared a summary of the incident on Facebook. The sheriff's office reported that when they breached the home, the suspect opened fire and they shot back. Gounaris was injured. One Emergency Response Team (ERT) member was struck in his armor, another was shot in the upper arm, and a third was struck in the face.
According to the sheriff’s office, two members of the Ogle County ERT were transported to KSB Hospital, treated and released. The third injured member of the ERT was flown to OSF St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford and underwent surgery that evening. The suspect was also transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery.
The Illinois State Police will investigate this officer-involved shooting and any charges will be filed upon completion of the investigation by the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office.
"I would like to personally thank all law enforcement for their response to this incident and express my sincere gratitude to the multiple fire agencies, hospital staff, MD-1 Physicians, flight crews, and the general public for their overwhelming support during this very difficult time at the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office," wrote Ogle County Sheriff Brian E. VanVickle in his statement on Facebook.
Andrew S. Chesney has represented people of Illinois' 45th Senate District since 2022. Prior to that, he represented the 89th District from December 2018 onward. He has served as an elected member of Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP), an organization providing support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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