Kane County Sheriff Introduces Pratt Response Resolution

Resolution Remembers Victims and Response to Pratt Warehouse Shooting

Kane County Connects Staff 2/15/2024 8:00AM

The Kane County Judicial / Public Safety Committee has passed a resolution to commemorate the brave service of the public servants during the response to the Henry Pratt warehouse shooting. The shooting, on February 15, 2019, claimed the lives of five people. Hundreds of police officers responded from other departments around northern Illinois for mutal aid, including the Kane County Sheriff's office.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, February 15, 2024 marks the fifth anniversary of the Henry Pratt Warehouse shooting; and

WHEREAS, our community lost five innocent citizens to gun violence that day; and

WHEREAS, our Kane County Sheriff’s Office with the coordination of our outstanding dispatch center, KaneComm, bravely responded to assist the Aurora Police Department without hesitation; and

WHEREAS, after the situation was resolved without further loss of life, the Kane County Coroner’s Office professionally responded and processed the violent scene with all

due respect for the victims and their families; and

WHEREAS, Kane County recognizes the everlasting and indelible mark the event leaves on the minds and hearts of our dedicated first responders for a lifetime.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kane County Board and the Chairman thereof, that Kane County recognizes this day, February 15, 2024, in celebration of our hero first responders for the work they did that day and for the work they do every day in service to our community.

The resolution moves to the full Kane County Board for approval in March.

The information below was taken from a story written by the Chicago Tribune back in March of 2019 entitled; 'Kane County Sheriff Gives Harrowing Minute-by-Minute account of Pratt Co. Shotting and his Deputies' Roles in Bringing Down the Gunman"

-----

The sheriff gave county board members a minute-by-minute account of what happened Feb. 15, and the role sheriff’s officers played in assisting Aurora police.

The sheriff’s office provides police protection for unincorporated parts of Aurora Township, much of which surrounds the city of Aurora. The sheriff’s office works closely with Aurora police for that reason, Sheriff Ron Hain said.

The initial 911 call came through at 1:24 p.m. as an active shooter at an Aurora plant, according to audio. Kane County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Wolf was with a North Aurora police officer when the officer was dispatched to the scene on Archer Avenue; Wolf joined him and became one of the first responders on the scene, the sheriff said.

Witnesses told authorities an employee being terminated had started shooting in the warehouse and was still inside. Emergency dispatchers were vital in the response, Hain said. “You will hear how they had tension in their voices throughout but also remained calm throughout,” he said.

“Officer down, use caution,” a 911 operator said at 1:30 p.m. Wolf was on the scene at 1:37 p.m. The scene escalated, and sheriff’s deputies and officers from other departments were called to respond.

Dash cam video showed Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Johnson rushing to the scene. A total of 48 sheriff’s deputies assisted and supported Aurora police, including county SWAT team members, bomb unit staff, evidence techs and a bomb-sniffing K9, the only one in the area, Hain said. The K9 unit is funded through donations, and the only protective gear the six-member bomb unit has are their bomb suits, he said.

Aurora police requested the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force to assist, Hain said. Wolf requested an armored vehicle, which the sheriff’s office rolled out, the sheriff said. The vehicle was used to break down a door to the building, Hain said.

The sheriff’s SWAT team members were alongside Aurora police as they entered the building searching for victims and the shooter, Hain said. Deputies were able to help Aurora police distract the shooter and end the standoff.

Hain introduced deputies as he laid out the events. “I’m honored to present to you the men and women of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office,” Hain said.

County Board members and the audience gave deputies a standing ovation.

County Board Member Anita Lewis was at Henry Pratt that day. She is a longtime employee who was in a different building during the shooting.

“I lost four good friends that day,” Lewis said. “I have listened to all the 911 calls. I have never been so proud to be a member of Kane County and Aurora. It was amazing to me to listen to all these brave men and women.

“You hear in their voices, they were willing to go in and get shot” to protect employees, Lewis said. “They didn’t know what was around the next bend (in the large warehouse) yet they were willing to do that. I’m in awe of all of you.

“On behalf of everyone who works in Henry Pratt Co., thank you so much,” she said.

Tags: Community Education Sheriff