Today the Cook County Sheriff’s Office charged and arrested Correctional Officer Delphia A. Sawyer, 31, of the 8700 block of Covington Drive in Justice and Correctional Officer Pamela R. Bruce, 30, of the 00 block of East 87th Street in Chicago. The two individuals were charged with the felonies of obstructing justice, perjury, official misconduct and mob action.
After receiving credible information that two employees were involved in misconduct, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart swiftly initiated an internal investigation.
“It is a shame that officers like this bring disgrace to those who work so hard under difficult conditions,” said Sheriff Dart, “I have set very high standards for this office and because of that I took immediate action when these allegations were brought to my attention.”
Last February the Cook County Sheriff’s Office received information that Sawyer and Bruce, while serving in their official capacity as Correctional Officers in Division X, knowingly gathered two detainees and facilitated a battery on a different detainee. After quickly reviewing the information and relaying it to the Sheriff’s Office of Professional Review (OPR) a more thorough internal investigation was initiated and completed. This investigation included interviewing more than 60 individuals, including detainees, and staff from the Sheriff’s Office, Cermak Hospital and Facilities Management.
At this point, a request was made by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to review the case for charges.
Thursday morning, February 21, 2013, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office took Sawyer and Bruce into custody without incident. Both were de-deputized, which includes removing their badge and official identification.
Sawyer has been a Correctional Officer since being hired in September of 2006. Bruce has been a Correctional Officer since being hired in July of 2006.
Both Sawyer and Bruce were scheduled to be in bond court this morning at the Criminal Courts Building at 11:00 am.
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