Burr Ridge Cop Charged With DUI Ordered Back From Virginia: Village

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge has enlisted a public relations firm and issued a news release on Deputy Police Chief Ryan Husarik's arrest on a drunken driving charge in Virginia in April.

Tuesday's news release follows two Patch stories about the arrest. After Patch's coverage, the Chicago Tribune published a story, apparently being the first media outlet to receive the news release.

The village posted it publicly after Patch asked for it Wednesday morning. Then a public relations firm emailed it to Patch.

Husarik, who makes $150,000 a year, was arrested in his Burr Ridge police car while he was in the Washington suburbs to attend training at the FBI National Academy. His alcohol level was reported at 2½ times the legal limit, according to police there, who said he was also found with small liquor bottles in his pockets.

According to Burr Ridge's news release, the FBI provides the training free of charge and employees who attend are paid their regular salary.

Upon his arrest, Husarik was immediately withdrawn from the academy and ordered to return by Chief John Madden, the village said. It was unclear whether Husarik drove the village's Ford Explorer back to Illinois.

After returning, Husarik was placed on administrative leave, while the village conducted an internal investigation, according to the release.

He was then suspended from June 3 to July 26, according to village records. He is now subject to a 48-month "last-chance" agreement, the village said.

In March, the village posted on Facebook that Husarik would attend the academy's training from April 1 to June 6.

"Please join us in congratulating DC Husarik on this esteemed honor & opportunity!" the village said.

The "executive-level" training included investigative, leadership and fitness courses, the release said. The topics were said to include critical incident leadership, behavioral and forensic science, terrorism, and advanced media relations.

Husarik has apparently not been to his office since the training because his automatic email reply still says he'll be back June 10. That was the day he would have returned from the training had he not been arrested.

The village said its investigation and outcome were separate from the misdemeanor charge in Virginia.

"We will continue to monitor the case in Virginia as it progresses, and any sanctions that may result will be addressed when they become known," the village said in the news release.

As state law requires, the village informed the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board of Husarik's arrest and suspension, the release said.

The village said it offers resources and support for employees to address issues related to stress, alcohol use and mental health.

"We will continue to reinforce these programs in support of all Village of Burr Ridge employees," the release said.

It is unknown what impact, if any, Husarik's arrest may have on the village's insurance.

Husarik, a Lemont resident, has been with the department for a couple of decades. He became deputy chief in 2022.

Patch has been unable to reach Husarik for comment.