U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider presents flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and certificates to North Chicago police officers Gary Grayer and Mike Mueller on Tuesday. | Provided Photo

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider honored the seven North Chicago police officers who arrested the Highland Park mass shooting suspect and assisted in investigating the case.

Schneider on Tuesday held a ceremony at the North Chicago City Hall.

He presented certificates and flags, which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol, to officers Gary Grayer and Mike Mueller.

Five other officers — Cory Collum, Chris Mueller, Matthew Decowski, Thomas Kropp and Donald Florance — were not present during the ceremony but will also receive the flags and certificates.

On July 18, North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez presented letters of commendation to Grayer, Collum, the Mueller brothers and Decowski, which were the officers who arrested Robert Crimo III.

Kropp and Florance assisted the Lake County Major Crime Task Force and the FBI with the shooting investigation.

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Seven officers with the North Chicago Police Department were awarded for their efforts in the investigation and apprehension of the suspect accused in the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park. | Provided Photos

Perez said the Grayer was the first officer to spot Crimo’s 2010 Honda Fit as it traveled on Route 41 through North Chicago on July 4.

Dispatchers moments prior had advised officers to be on the lookout after a citizen called 911 to report they spotted the suspect vehicle.

Grayer, along with the Mueller brothers, Collum and Decowski, coordinated a high-risk traffic stop on the Honda with the assistance of other police agencies.

They were able to stop the Honda at Route 41 and Westleigh Road in Lake Forest.

Crimo, 21, of Highwood, was armed with a rifle and ammunition when police stopped his car.

The officers ordered Crimo out of the car at gunpoint and arrested him without incident.

Robert E. Crimo III, 21, (inset) was taken into custody by police officers at Route 41 and Westleigh Road in Lake Forest following a police pursuit involving his mother’s silver Honda Fit on July 4, 2022. | Background Photo: Willie Gillespie (@wgweather)

“Without situational awareness, and the coordination of Officer Grayer, as well as the teamwork of officers Collum, Decowski, [Chris] Mueller and [Mike] Mueller, this incident may have escalated into another tragedy,” Perez said during a city council meeting.

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Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli previously said that Crimo pre-planned the Highland Park attack for several weeks.

Crimo allegedly brought a high-powered rifle to the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park.

Covelli said that Crimo used a fire escape ladder to access the roof of a building on the parade route.

Crimo then allegedly opened fire on parade-goers, killing seven people and injuring over 45 people. Over 80 rounds were fired from the rifle.

Crimo, who was dressed as a woman, exited the roof, dropped the rifle and escaped with the fleeing crowd, according to Covelli.

He remains held in the Lake County Jail after Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him held without bond.