Two McHenry County sheriff’s deputies, including deputy Jacob Keltner, who was killed in the line of duty, were awarded the Medal of Honor during a state ceremony Wednesday.
136 law enforcement officers from 41 agencies in Illinois were honored in Springfield by Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly for acts of heroism, bravery and sacrifice during a Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Daniel Kramer and the Lake County Sheriff’s Warrants Team were conducting an operation in June 2020 to take a man into custody who was wanted for homicide.
As the team approached a Beach Park residence, the offender exited a vehicle parked in the driveway and began shooting at the Warrants Team.
McHenry County Sgt. Daniel Kramer and Lake County Sheriff Deputy Thomas Sieber returned fire, striking the offender.
Members of the Warrants Team performed CPR on the man until the paramedics arrived. The suspect later died.
Kramer received the Medal of Honor award during the ceremony for his actions.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Keltner received a posthumous Medal of Honor award during the ceremony.
Keltner was honored for the “ultimate sacrifice” he made on March 7, 2019, the sheriff’s office said.
Keltner was fatally shot in the line of duty while executing a search warrant.
Kramer accepted the award on behalf of Keltner and the Keltner family.
“The special souls we pay tribute to met the common daily challenge of enforcing our laws with uncommon bravery,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said.
“The Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee and the Illinois State Police honor these heroes, some who paid the ultimate price, in the pursuit of justice and the protection of public safety,” Kelly said.
McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman said the sheriff’s office is proud of Kramer and Keltner, “whom we miss terribly.”
“When we have men and women who go above and beyond their call of duty, and show this sort of bravery and courage, it exemplifies what ‘hero’ really means,” Tadelman said.
The Wednesday ceremony was the first one held since 2016 and honored recipients from 2017 through 2022.