State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) recognized Park Ridge Deputy Chief of Police Lou Jogmen for his work to promote rail safety, which recently earned him the national Green Cross for Safety Advocate Award.

“Deputy Chief Jogmen showed great leadership on this initiative and the inaugural Illinois Rail Safety Week,” Murphy said. “He is a shining example of the Park Ridge community, and I am honored to present him with this Illinois State Senate Certificate of Recognition for his work to promote public safety.”

The National Safety Council, a nonprofit that works to eliminate preventable deaths, presented the award to Jogmen this summer. This national award is given each year to one person who substantially influenced a safety issue using evidence-based practices and data to raise awareness and prevent further injuries and deaths.

“Unfortunately, despite all of the good work being done, Illinois traditionally found itself near the top of the list of states with regard to injuries and deaths on or near our railroads,” Jogmen, who has worked for the Park Ridge Police Department for nearly 24 years, said.

“The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee set out to bring awareness to this issue and to improve the rail safety culture in Illinois by partnering with stakeholders and communities throughout the state, including my home community of Park Ridge.”

Jogmen is the Traffic Safety Committee chairman for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. He led the first Illinois Rail Safety Week in 2014, the model of which has since been used to promote awareness of distracted driving.

“The growing success of Illinois Rail Safety Week demonstrates how Illinois law enforcement can come together around a serious issue,” Jogmen said.

“It also serves to illustrate that Illinoisans are committed to making our state safer and stronger. I am happy to accept this recognition on behalf of the members of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee and all of those individuals who have worked so tirelessly throughout Illinois to help keep our residents safe around our railroads.”