I’m Shannon. I am a mom. I am a cop. I am a whistleblower.
As a South Side Chicago native, I have had a lifelong passion for upholding the law and protecting the innocent. I worked hand in hand with the Illinois Department of Human Rights leading investigations and in 1996 I became a sworn officer of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to serve and protect the people and city that I love.
The “Blondie” Chapter. I was assigned to work as an undercover narcotics officer in some of the toughest, most dangerous South Side neighborhoods. Strong relationships based on immense trust and respect were key to the success of the work. I became known as “Blondie.” As officers we entrusted our personal safety, security, and careers with one another. It was a tight-knit family that had formed impenetrable bonds…or so I thought. As time moved along, I discovered that some of my fellow officers in my own department were abusing that trust in the most abhorrent way and breaking the law they were sworn to uphold. I would soon discover these officers were running a full blown criminal enterprise.
Taking a Stand. I remained faithful to the oath that I took to protect the citizens of my beloved city, regardless of the consequences. I decided to expose the corruption and bring justice to those wrongfully accused. If I didn’t, who would? How many more innocent people would the CPD allow to be victimized and imprisoned? “Blondie” was replaced with “snitch” and “rat”. My superiors had warned me that I would likely be shot by a fellow cop. Those that were once my “family” were now out to permanently silence me from telling the truth. Over six years, I worked with the FBI to expose the corruption as part of an investigation called “Operation Brass Tax” to bring down dozens of sworn members of the CPD including high ranking officials which should have put them in federal prison for decades. That didn’t happen. Ultimately, the police department covered up the evidence, retaliated against me and cost me everything including my career, my city, and nearly my life. This continues today.
The Whistleblower. History was broken in 2014 when I filed a lawsuit forcing Mayor Rahm Emanuel to publicly admit the corruption within the CPD and that crooked cops were being shielded from justice. It was the first time in history that a powerful politician officially acknowledged what law-abiding citizens had known for years: the Code of Silence destroys lives.
The Exoneration Project. I was asked to assist in exonerating those wrongly convicted. The evidence, intelligence, and testimony I provided became the backbone to the case. Through my work with The Exoneration Project, I helped to clear the names of more than 246 people who’ve been framed and wrongly convicted for crimes they didn’t commit. “Operation Brass Tax” became the biggest police scandal in history.
The Cost of Doing What is Right. The media paints a deceptive narrative, suggesting I pocketed a lavish 2 million dollars and sailed into the sunset. I never received a 2 million dollar settlement. While my actions rightfully earned me the prestigious "Whistleblower of the Year Award in 2023," it also triggered heightened retaliation, resulting in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Fall of One to Protect Many. In addition to the work that I am currently doing today, it is my hope that I can inspire others to come forward and stand for the truth, enacting positive change with the confidence of being protected and honored.