David DeLaPena

On the night of Tuesday November 17, 2015, Lurie Children’s Hospital Security Officer, David DeLaPena, was staffing the 1st floor Emergency Department entrance, a desk post that allows the Officer to see Superior Avenue. While on this post he witnessed a visibly intoxicated man walking past, being closely pursued by an on-foot Chicago Police Officer.  The officer had been called because of the suspect’s aggressive and potentially violent behavior at a neighboring hotel and the police officer was attempting to question the individual.  The suspect would not stop for verbal commands and was growing increasingly belligerent in his behavior. As Security Officer DeLaPena watched, the police officer made contact with the intoxicated man, at which point a physical struggle ensued.  The suspect then assaulted the officer by punching him in the face and tackling him.  A review of hospital video shows that the police officer was physically overpowered, and was at considerable risk of injury. Officer DeLaPena, called for backup, ran from his post to assist the officer, and physically engaged the intoxicated suspect, pulling him from the police officer and proceeded to assist the officer with detaining the suspect.  Several other security officers responded, including multiple additional Chicago Police Officers. The police officer suffered body blows and was at direct risk of further injury or death. Officer DeLaPena showed no hesitation to assist, despite the fact that he saw that the suspect was more than willing to attack a uniformed police officer and was clearly dangerous. Officer DeLaPena was not in possession of any equipment that could assist with his defense and relied purely on his past training in self-defense and crisis management.