Page 24 - FOP_MAY16.indd

P traits by Peter Bucks
Tributes to officers from the CPD Officer, Lodge 7 member and renowned artist
George Moussa Star #5509
For Lodge 7 members, responding to life-threatening calls is a commit- ment to the job. For Officer George Moussa, responding with bravery, composure and instinctive reflexes is a commitment to a legacy of under- standing through experience.
Joining the Department in Septem- ber 2003, a bit later in life than most coppers, Moussa says the many and varied life experiences he gained be- fore his career as a police officer be- gan have played a big part in his suc- cess.
“Some things you can’t learn unless you live through them, and experi- ence them yourself,” he says. “(As a police officer), you have to be able to understand people who live in differ- ent social environments; those kinds of experiences mold who you are as a person.”
Before joining the department, Moussa strengthened his interper-
sonal skills and social etiquette work- ing in the public school system as a teacher, a campus safety officer and, perhaps most rewarding, a coach.
He continued to explore new ven- tures with the Department, joining the Chicago Enforcers roster shortly after his daughter Sadie was born and becoming a coach for the team fol- lowing the birth of his first son, Joey.
“(The league) offers a second chance for (law enforcement) athletes to do what they love,” says Moussa. “It’s pretty cool because you don’t get a lot of second chances.”
Moussa adds that he has gained a profound understanding of chances, risks and realizing what’s really im- portant. His dedication resulted in becoming a recipient of the Superin- tendent’s Award of Valor in 2014.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice your job and your loves for your fami- ly. I think police officers do that across
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never know what’s going to happen when they go to work. The most im- portant thing they do is go to work every day so their families are taken care of.”d
24 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2016