Joliet’s Exceptional Clearance Rate for Homicides: A Closer Look
The city of Joliet, Illinois, has seen a remarkable clearance rate for homicides over the past five years. According to a Joliet Patch analysis of the Joliet Police Department’s homicide data, the department has solved or cleared 81 percent of the city’s homicides since 2020. This translates to 42 out of 52 homicides during that time frame.
Arrests and Exceptional Clearances
In some cases, the Joliet Police Department made arrests for the slayings, while in others, they were deemed exceptional clearances. For instance, in September 2021, a 2-year-old boy named Christopher Urbina was fatally stabbed at his family’s house on Fairway Drive. His older brother was identified as the killer, but due to his age, he was too young to be prosecuted for the crime. Another exceptional clearance occurred in May 2022, when Michael Aud-Headlee killed his estranged wife, Melissa Ronczkowski, before taking his own life in the street on Pandola Avenue.
Detective Work and Team Effort
Joliet Police Department’s high-ranking officials, including Deputy Police Chief Carlos Matlock, Lieutenant John Ross, and Detective Sergeant Tizoc Landeros, attribute the success to their team of detectives’ excellent detective work and the close collaboration with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. The detectives, who handle most domestic battery cases and small crimes as well, work tirelessly on each case, averaging between 100 to 150 criminal cases per year.
Loss of Experienced Detectives
Despite the impressive clearance rate, the Joliet Police Department has faced challenges, including the retirement of some of its most experienced detectives, such as Don McKinney, Dave Jackson, and Paul Rodriguez. Ross acknowledged that it hurts to lose such valuable members but also sees it as an opportunity for younger officers to build their skills.
Community Cooperation and Technology
The Joliet Police Department has also benefited from community cooperation and the city’s investment in the latest technology and police training. The relationship between the community and detectives remains strong, with citizens encouraged to share tips anonymously through the Will County Crimestoppers website. Moreover, the department’s supervisors provide professional guidance and support to the detectives, and evidence technicians help develop leads and follow up on them.
Unsolved Cases and the Importance of Persistence
Despite the impressive clearance rate, there are still 10 unsolved homicides in Joliet during the past five years. Landeros encourages citizens to reach out to the Will County Crimestoppers with any information they might have. Ross believes that the department’s luck in the past few years is due to the intersection of preparation and persistence, with detectives continuing to work on each case until they can gather enough evidence to make an arrest.
Impact on Individuals and Society
The exceptional clearance rate of Joliet’s homicides is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the police department and its community partners. For individuals, it means a safer environment and a greater sense of security. For society, it signifies a more effective criminal justice system that holds those responsible for violent crimes accountable.
Conclusion
The city of Joliet’s exceptional clearance rate for homicides over the past five years is a remarkable achievement that can be attributed to the tireless efforts of the Joliet Police Department and its community partners. Despite the challenges, the department continues to work diligently on each case, demonstrating the importance of persistence and community cooperation in solving crimes. Although there are still unsolved cases, the department remains committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families.
- Joliet Police Department has solved or cleared 81 percent of homicides since 2020
- Exceptional clearances include cases where the suspect took their own life
- Detectives work an average of 100 to 150 criminal cases per year
- Loss of experienced detectives creates opportunities for younger officers
- Community cooperation and technology play crucial roles in solving crimes
- Unsolved cases encourage citizens to share information with Will County Crimestoppers
- Clearance rate means a safer environment for individuals and a more effective criminal justice system for society
