Metro East Sun

Several Belleville city police officers were honored during a recent council meeting for their efforts in serving and protecting the community in which they work.

Probationary Officers Riley Barnes and Jake Robinson were among those recognized during the meeting on February 21. 

"Officer Barnes and Robinson's proactive policing and diligence to duty contributed significantly to the investigation and capture of a dangerous criminal who had senselessly taken the life of an innocent person," Police Chief Matthew Eiskant said. "Their actions reflect great credit upon themselves, the city of Belleville, and the police department."

Barnes and Robinson along with Field Training Officers William Garrett and Jordan Miller were presented with a Certificate of Merit for their actions on January 11, 2023. Eiskant said that was when Barnes pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation and made contact with the driver. When Barnes ran the car’s registration, he found it was not registered to the driver and was from Freeberg, Illinois. When probationary officer Robinson arrived on the scene to assist, they found the driver was acting strangely and contradicting his own answers and explanations. 

During a search of the vehicle, the officers found evidence and detained the driver. The officers then contacted the Freeberg police department, fearing for the vehicle’s owner, and police found the owner deceased in their home. The suspect was arrested for murder and was also charged with additional offenses including armed robbery and vehicle theft. Eiskant said he was proud to have officers with such attention to detail, adherence to proper protocol, and knowledge of safety in his department. 

Officers Zane Wallace and Jordan Miller along with Sergeant David Ray were also recognized for their efforts in a life-saving incident that occurred on November 11th, 2022. Eiskant said Wallace was out on patrol this day when he noticed a large amount of smoke, so he followed it and discovered a house actively on fire. He radioed for the fire department and aid, and approached the house, hearing noise coming from a lower level window. He removed the air conditioning unit from the window and attempted to find the person inside, aided by Officer Miller and Sgt. Ray when they arrived on the scene. The officers helped the fire department when they arrived, providing directions to where they thought the resident was and eventually helped pull her out of the house through the window and carried her over to EMS. She had some minor burns and severe smoke inhalation, but she recovered in the hospital. The woman saved was the daughter of one of the city’s council members.