Above: Minnesota Sheriff Association President, Kandiyohi Sheriff Dan Hartog, presents the Medal of Valor to Cook County Sheriff Deputy Gary Radloff (center) on Dec. 3. When an officer receives the Medal of Valor, the sheriff’s office to which he is assigned also receives a plaque, which Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk is holding. Falk said the plaque is proudly displayed in the Law Enforcement Center lobby. Far left: Assistant County Attorney Molly Hicken received a Medal of Commendation, awarded to civilian personnel for acts of bravery. Left: Defense Attorney John Lillie was awarded the MSA Life Saving Award, for his actions to help save the life of Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell.
The court system personnel who responded heroically to prevent further tragedy in last December’s shooting in the Cook County courthouse have received recognition from their peers in recent weeks.
Attorneys recognized by Hennepin County
On November 28, 2012, Cook County Assistant County Attorney Molly Hicken and Criminal Defense Attorney, John Lillie of Dudley & Smith, P.A., both received the Community Leadership Award from Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Presenting the award, Deputy Hennepin County Attorney David Brown recounted the December 15, 2011 incident in which a defendant who had just been found guilty by jury of criminal sexual conduct returned to the courthouse with a gun. A witness who had been called to testify, Greg Thompson of Grand Marais, and Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell were both shot.
Cook County Sheriff Deputy/Bailiff Gary Radloff and Assistant County Attorney Hicken worked together to subdue the shooter. Hicken, who has been described as “feisty” by more than one reporter, told the audience at the Hennepin County award ceremony, “I didn’t want to see Tim Scannell die before me. I wanted to be able to go home and hug my husband again. And I wanted Gary Radloff to be able to see his baby grandchild again.”
Hicken noted that it was nice to see John Lillie. They had not seen each other since the day of the shooting.
Lillie was recognized for his calm, life-saving efforts as he provided medical aid to the badly wounded Scannell. Accepting the award at the Hennepin County presentation, Lillie said, “You don’t feel deserving. You always try to do the right thing, you’re taught to do the right thing, you’re raised to do the right thing and I feel good that I did.”
Honors from Minnesota Sheriffs Association
Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk nominated Sheriff Deputy/Bailiff Gary Radloff, Assistant County Attorney Molly Hicken and Criminal Defense Attorney John Lillie of Minneapolis for recognition by the Minnesota Sheriff ’s Association at the Annual Conference. Falk said, “All three were nominated for their role and response in the courthouse shooting last December,” said Falk.
On December 3 at the Sheriff ’s Association Annual Conference, in Alexandria, MN, MSA President, Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog presented awards to the three nominees.
Deputy Radloff was awarded the 2012 MSA Medal of Valor. The Medal of Valor is awarded to a person who has distinguished himself by an act of personal bravery or self-sacrifice, involving risk of life.
Attorney Lillie was awarded the 2012 MSA Life Saving Award. The Life Saving Award is usually awarded to an employee or volunteer acting under the direction and control of a sheriff ’s office who is a member of the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association. However, this award can also be given to a civilian who has performed an act which may be deemed to have saved the life.
Assistant County Attorney Hicken was awarded the 2012 MSA Medal of Commendation. The Medal of Commendation is awarded to civilian personnel of sheriff ’s offices, who through acts of personal bravery, intelligently performed, assisted a member of a sheriffs’ office in peril of life or safety.
Sheriff Falk said, “It was an honor to have them present at the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association to receive their award. They deserve to be recognized for their actions last December.”
In a phone interview, Hicken said, “It feels good to be recognized by these organizations for preventing further tragedy, but it’s interesting to get an award for something I had no control or choice over.”
“This just highlights how the people in law enforcement and criminal justice stick their necks out every day,” said Hicken.
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