Late in the
night of May 29, 2007 Aurora Township resident Leslie Fleming heard a commotion
outside his home. He awoke and saw a light on at his neighbor's house. Mr.
Fleming walked over to his neighbor's house and saw someone inside. Mr.
Flemming reached through a basement window and pulled the man outside and
held him down until Sheriff's Deputies arrived. Unfortunately deputies discovered
that Mr. Fleming's 83 year old neighbor, Roscoe Ebey had been murdered in
his bedroom.
Mr. Ebey was a decorated World War II military veteran and a popular member
of his neighborhood. In honor of Mr. Ebey, Sheriff Perez created the Kane County
Sheriff's Office Citizen of the Year Award. It was only fitting that Mr.
Leslie Fleming was the first recipient of this award. It was the selfless
actions of Mr. Fleming that led to the capture of the person who was charged
in the murder of Mr. Ebey. Mr. Flemming never thought of himself as a hero;
he was just doing what neighbors do for each other.
Throughout the year Sheriff Perez encourages citizens to nominate one of their own for being proactive and making a difference in their community. When citizens are willing to make a commitment to step forward and make a difference in their communities everyone benefits. It is with this in mind that Sheriff Perez wants to formally recognize those persons who truly make a difference.