Chief: Badge was not issued to Rada

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Updated: November 9, 2011 2:50PM

How an Elmwood Park police officer’s badge fell into the hands of a civilian is still unknown.

Nicholas Rada, 29, of Elmwood Park was arrested Sept. 1 on the West Side of Chicago and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, false impersonation of a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Rada pulled into a gas station at 901 N. Pulaski Road with two flat tires. When asked if he needed help, he allegedly pulled out a gun and told the security guard he was a police officer.

During his arrest, an Elmwood Park police badge was confiscated, which had been on the console of the car, police said.

Fagiano emphasized on Friday that no one in the Elmwood Park Police Department ever issued Rada a badge. And it never occurred during former Police Chief Tom Braglia’s administration either, Fagiano said.

So how did Rada acquire the badge?

Fagiano didn’t know but he suggested Rada could have gotten it from a former police officer.

When police officers retire their badge is included in a memento piece honoring their years of service. Fagiano suggested Rada could have gotten it from one of those.

“No one in the current police department issued him a badge,” Fagiano said. “He has no affiliation with the village of Elmwood Park.”

Rada was ordered held on $50,000 bond and a preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 21.