Gary Kujawa MS, LPC, NCC, CCTP-II, EMDR Trained

Life is 10 % of what happens to you and 90 % of how you react to it.”- Charles R. Swindoll

Limited Availability

Joining the Chicago Police Department (CPD) in 1999, I have more than 22 years of continuous law enforcement experience:

Currently assigned to the CPD Special Activities Unit, I am available on a twenty-four hour basis to provide support to the families of officers killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. My duties include assisting with the filing of appropriate local, state, and federal claims for benefits on behalf of officers and their family members. I am a constant point of contact and comfort for surviving family members. I currently assist with arranging transportation to and from events honoring fallen officers, responding to court dates as well as appointments related to benefits. Additionally, I coordinate the travel and accommodations for family members of fallen officers to the National Police Memorial in Washington DC and the Illinois Police Memorial in Springfield. I have been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations, past CPD assignments which include district patrol, community policing, membership on the dignitary protective detail and special operations foot patrol team, and as Project Strategy Manager for Officer Wellness and Support within the Office of Reform Management.

Upon graduating from National Louis University in 2018 with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I began private practice in Frankfort, Illinois as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Trained clinician, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2, and Nationally Certified Counselor specializing in substance abuse disorders and crisis intervention services for the first responder community.

Certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement and Standards Board as a Crisis intervention team (C.I.T.) Officer and a Law Enforcement Medical and Rescue Training (L.E.M.A.R.T) Officer, I am a CPD Peer Support Officer with active memberships in the Illinois Counseling Association, the Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7.

I am married and the father of one child. I am active in the community, volunteering my time and resources with local faith-based programs. My hobbies include singing baritone in an a Cappella ensemble, traveling abroad, exploring new cultures, learning about historical architecture, and spending time with family and friends.