Last week’s city council meeting began with celebration as two Hickory Hills police officers were honored for their dedication and service.
Sgt. David Eenigenburg was promoted to lieutenant, and Officer Joseph Murphy was promoted to sergeant during a swearing-in ceremony March 13 marked by family, tradition, and community support.
Police Chief Adam Gulczynski introduced Eenigenburg, emphasizing his commitment and professionalism.
“He is widely regarded as one of the nicest members of the department,” Gulczynski said. “So much so that an officer once said if he had a daughter, he’d want her to marry a guy like Dave.”
Eenigenburg, a south suburban native and Trinity Christian College graduate, joined the Hickory Hills Police Department in 2014 after training at the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Academy.
Over the years, he has served in several key roles, including patrol officer, SWAT team operator, evidence technician, and drone pilot.
In 2019, he transitioned to the Investigations Division, earning a homicide investigator certification and working with major crime task forces. He is also a member of the department’s firearms training unit.
Eenigenburg took his oath of office with his wife, Eve, and their son, Emmett, present for the ceremony. The family is expecting their second child in July.
Following Eenigenburg’s swearing-in, Chief Gulczynski introduced newly promoted Sgt. Joseph Murphy. A Garfield Ridge native, Murphy served five years of active duty in the U.S. Army before receiving an honorable discharge.
He later worked as a correctional officer for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and then moved to the Cook County Forest Preserve Police.
Murphy joined the Hickory Hills Police Department in 2007 and has since taken on multiple roles, including juvenile officer, evidence technician, field training officer, and watch commander.
He has also served as the department’s union president and currently sits on the pension board.
Murphy’s wife, Mary, pinned his new badge as he took his oath of office. The couple is expecting their first child later this year.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the officers, asking for guidance, protection, and strength as they take on their new responsibilities. A brief reception followed, where colleagues, friends, and family congratulated the newly promoted officers.
With these promotions, the Hickory Hills Police Department is now just one officer away from being fully staffed.
The post Police officers promoted, prayers offered at Hickory Hills council meeting appeared first on Southwest Regional Publishing.