EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The East Peoria City Council Tuesday night issued a proclamation for Officer Jeffrey Bieber, who was injured in a stabbing on Feb. 2 outside of a CVS Pharmacy.
During the incident, Bieber shot and killed the suspect who ran from police and stabbed him multiple times.
“With all the ignorant decisions being made in our state right now with regards to police officers — this case shows why they need to take a second look,” said Commissioner Dan Decker. “As he was being stabbed, he was able to continue his duty.
“I hope the world starts to look at things like this as recognition that officers need support behind them to do their jobs.”
Mayor John Kahl made sure officers in the room knew his feelings of their occupation.
“This council, absolute 100%, supports the men and women of law enforcement — we always have, and we always will,” said Kahl. “Everyday when you get up to protect us, you will be in our thoughts and prayers that you go back to your families at night.”
Bieber spoke after the proclamation, saying he didn’t expect all the support he received after the incident.
“It’s been very inspiring the amount of support I’ve had,” said Bieber. “If you pay attention to social media and watch the news, you don’t think we have much support.
“This has proven otherwise — there has not been a single day that I haven’t received multiple texts or phone calls.”
Tuesday was Bieber’s first day back on the job after being stabbed ten times in the head.
“I literally thought I was sitting there dying,” said Bieber. “From the moment I woke up out of surgery, there was always someone there talking to me.”
At the end of the meeting, Kahl said he was thinking of the Champaign Police Officer, Chris Oberheim, who was fatally shot during a domestic disturbance.
“It shows how dangerous that job is,” said Kahl. “Things can happen that quickly — I’m talking about life changing things.”
