SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — East Peoria Police Officer Jeffrey Bieber has been named the 2021 Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP).
Bieber was also nominated for a Medal of Valor by East Peoria Chief Rich Brodrick.
Bieber survived a scary encounter on Feb. 2, 2021 when responding to a domestic disturbance. Bieber followed the suspect of the disturbance, Joshua Crites, into a CVS parking lot when Crites got out of his vehicle.
Bieber noticed blood on Crites’ hands and offered to get medical help.
Crites pulled out a knife shortly after and attacked Bieber. Crites was tased by Bieber, but Crites continued to attack and stab Bieber.
Bieber was able to get to his firearm to stop Crites after being stabbed numerous times while bleeding profusely.
Bieber spent several months recovering before returning to work.
ILACP Executive Director Ed Wojcicki praised Bieber’s bravery.
“Bieber used his training to attempt less-than-lethal responses such as creating distance and deploying his Taser, but ultimately the situation put Bieber’s life in grave danger,” said Wojcicki. “This is one of those scenarios that can happen to any officer in any part of Illinois on any day.”
Bieber will be honored Aug. 20 at the ILACP Annual Awards Banquet in Tinley Park.
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