Cop's Tearful Widow Says Insane Attacker 'Will Do This to Another Family'

JOLIET, IL — A politician’s son who was institutionalized after the brutal beating of a Joliet police officer was cleared to move to a less restrictive facility and will be completely free in less than year.

Adam Mihelich, 30, had been committed to Elgin Mental Health Center after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity, both of viciously beating Officer Joe Gerrettie and trying to burn down the home of his girlfriend’s parents.

Gerrettie suffered broken ribs, broken bones in his face and a punctured lung in the June 2009 attack. He died three and a half years later at the age of 55. Gerrettie’s widow, Sandy Gerrettie, said the injuries inflicted by Mihelich ultimately killed her husband.

On Tuesday, Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes approved a request by Mihelich’s lawyer to transfer him from Elgin Mental Health to Bryn Mawr Care, a nonsecure facility from which Mihelich can come and go freely, although there is a curfew.

Even if Judge Alessio Policandriotes refused the transfer, Mihelich must be released from the custody of the Department of Human Services in November.

An Elgin Mental Health psychiatrist, Faiza Kareemi, testified that Mihelich has made great strides since he allegedly attacked Joe Gerrettie.

“He has made tremendous progress,” Kareemi said. “At this point his symptoms are in remission.”

While at Elgin Mental Health, Mihelich participated in an “intensive substance abuse program” and is being treated with antipsychotic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and mood-stabilizing medications.

Mihelich’s attorney, Doug DeBoer, said his client’s “drug of choice” at the time of the attack was Adderall. Mihelich had been prescribed the ADHD drug but abused it, DeBoer said.

Sandy Gerrettie read a letter during Mihelich’s court hearing and predicted Mihelich would resume his violent ways.

“I ask you, do you really believe in your heart that he will not do this again if released?” Sandy Gerrettie said. “I believe he should have been tried for attempted murder of a police officer and locked up for life where he could hurt no one else. I strongly believe that if he is released at any level, that he will do this to another family.”

Sandy Gerrettie also pointed out that Mihelich had been charged with stabbing his father, Andy Mihelich, who is the vice chair of the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees and a former candidate for mayor.

According to a June 2004 criminal complaint, Adam Mihelich stabbed his dad with a knife. Eleven months later, the felony aggravated battery charge was dismissed, Adam Mihelich was charged instead with misdemeanor battery, he pleaded guilty the same day and was sentenced to two years court supervision.

Prior to the 2009 attack on Gerrettie, Adam Mihelich went to the Joliet home of his former girlfriend’s parents three times in the same morning. He demanded to speak with his ex even though she had not lived there in years, according to court papers.

On his third visit, Mihelich allegedly hurled flower pots through three windows and — before leaving — threatened to burn down the house if he was not allowed inside to speak with his ex-girlfriend when he came back.

The young woman’s mother called the police sand Gerrettie was sent to the her Chestnut Grove Drive home. While he was filling out a report in his squad car, Adam Mihelich returned. He had allegedly gone to a service station to buy two cans of gasoline.

Gerrettie attempted to calm Mihelich down, according to court papers, and backed away when he charged at him.

Mihelich allegedly knocked Joe Gerrettie to the ground and grabbed for his gun. While Gerrettie prevented him from getting the pistol, Mihelich repeatedly slammed his own head into the officer’s face.

Another officer arrived to pull Mihelich off Gerrettie and both were taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center.

“Officer Gerrettie was bleeding from his ear and blood soaked the sidewalk by where his head had rested,” according to a stipulation to testimony.

At the hospital, Mihelich refused to answer questions from medical staff and police officers, the stipulation said, and “only uttered ‘ribbit, ribbit, ribbit … ‘ and ‘Why why’ or ‘What what’ to inquiry.”