Following their heroism in rescuing two Arlington Heights residents out of their home during an armed home invasion, five Arlington Heights police officers, a police sergeant, and a police commander were each awarded a Medal of Valor at the Arlington Heights Village Board Meeting Monday, March 16, 2026.
The Medal of Valor is the highest honor bestowed by the Arlington Heights Police Department to its members and is reserved for instances when an officer chooses the welfare of others over their own personal safety, courageous action over hesitation, and service above self.
In addition to the Medal of Valor, each recipient received a commendation bar for their uniform, and a framed certificate. All recipients were credited with saving the lives of two Arlington Heights residents and arresting an armed offender.
Medal of Valor Recipients
Commander Andrew Flentge
Police Sergeant James Kryca
Police Officer Kevin Sullivan
Police Officer Christopher Macko
Police Officer Daniel Savas
Police Officer Matthew Boucek
Police Officer Anthony Padiyara
After the residents called 9-1-1 to request help for an armed intruder that enter their home, police immediately responded, while the intruder was trying to forcibly enter the bedroom where the residents were hiding.
Police Officer Kevin Sullivan observed the offender exit a second floor window onto the roof. Sullivan order the offender to surrender, but the offender went back into the same second floor window.
Without hesitation, Police Officer Kevin Sullivan and Police Officer Christoper Macko entered the home to attempt a rescue and address the threat. There was hostile gunfire from the offender, and the two police officers followed tactical procedure and withdrew to form a more robust entry and containment team was assembled.
While the entry and containment team was formed, the offender was observed crawling down the stairs to the first floor.
Police Sergeant James Kryca, Police Officer Kevin Sullivan, and Police Officer Anthony Padiyara held cover at the first floor foyer, while Commander Andrew Flentge, Police Officer Matthew Boucek, and Police Officer Daniel Savas rushed up the staircase to rescue the residents on the second floor. The two homeowners were evacuated to a safe location outside their home. All police officers withdrew from the home, and a NIPAS SWAT response was assigned to the scene, and the offender surrendered over seven hours later.
During the operation, a team first responders worked at the scene …
49 Arlington Heights Police Department members and K-9 Maui
11 Arlington Heights Fire Department members
77 NIPAS tactical police members
4 Palatine Police Department drone operators
6 ILEAS police officers (mutual aid group) for perimeter security
4 Kane County Sheriff’s Office members with a Boston Dynamics robot dog
2 NWCDS 9-1-1 telecommunicators
Elk Grove Police Department K-9 handler and K-9 Uber.
The offender, Alex Pachino, remains in Cook County Jail charged with multiple felony crimes, and is awaiting future court dates detained pre-trial.
See also …
Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
