Chicago Crime Commission to honor Jim Stewart, chief investigator for Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, retired Joliet Police captain
November
CHICAGO – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is pleased to announce that the Chicago Crime Commission will honor his chief investigator, James Stewart of Joliet, during its annual Stars of Distinction Awards Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Investigator Stewart will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding career in law enforcement and his role in the investigation and resolution of thousands of criminal cases, both as a Joliet Police officer and as the Will County State’s Attorney’s chief investigator.
State’s Attorney Glasgow has known Stewart for more than three decades and nominated him for the Chicago Crime Commission honor earlier this year.
“Jim Stewart truly set the gold standard in law enforcement over the course of his career,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “He possesses all the qualities of a first-rate cop and detective. He’s hardworking, dedicated, ethical, street-smart, observant, trustworthy and community- minded. He treats everyone with respect, and in return, people from all walks of life – from the most hardened criminals to the pillars of our community – are willing to talk with him and provide him information to resolve criminal cases. And Jim has the arrest record to prove it.”
Stewart spent 35 years with the Joliet Police Department, where he rose through the ranks from patrol officer to captain. Along the way, he investigated murders, gang shootings, robberies, thefts, batteries, arsons, frauds and sexual assaults.
As a Joliet detective, he was instrumental in solving the mysterious disappearance of a family that accidentally drove their vehicle into the Des Plaines River in 2001, and in 2002 he reopened a cold case that brought to justice the killer of a 32-year-old nurse 11 years earlier.
As a commanding officer, Stewart led by example. To motivate his staff in 1997, then-Sgt. Stewart made a remarkable 246 arrests of which 22 suspects were wanted on no bond warrants. Bonds set in court on the remaining arrests totaled $4.5 million.
Stewart’s law enforcement career continued after his retirement from Joliet at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he continues to initiate and supplement investigations on behalf of prosecutors and other police agencies. He has worked countless murder, sexual assault, domestic violence and burglary investigations across Will County. In addition, he has coordinated the protection and transportation of witnesses during all major felony trials, including the prosecution of Drew Peterson.
The Stars of Distinction, 2014 Awards Dinner will honor individuals and the organizations they serve in recognition of their outstanding work in law enforcement. Recipients of the Stars of Distinction awards are local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have made significant contributions to crime-fighting efforts.