Page 26 - January 2018

P traits by Peter Bucks
Tributes to officers from the CPD Officer, Lodge 7 member and renowned artist
Living the Chicago Police life
Some get it right the first time around.
When Parris George grad- uated from the Academy in 1989, he knew that he want- ed to go to work in 015. It was an aspiration that was easy to achieve for the 30-year-old, who graduated at the top of his class. Unlike his peers who were assigned training districts, George was able to select where to begin his ca- reer.
He chose the 15th District – a law enforcement assign- ment that he was told was Chicago’s “best-kept secret.” The secret turned in a sem- inal moment. He remained there for 27 years.
“I’m the type that if you hire me, I give you every- thing that I have – my loyalty included,” George noted.
Even as George nears the end of his first year of retire- ment, his loyalty remains to the Department. He can’t help but question if he re- tired too soon, reminisces on nearly 30 years of service and is often reminded of the title that defined who he was for so long.
“The hardest part has been knowing that I’m not the police anymore,” George admitted. “For some people, it’s a job. For others, it’s a way of life. For those who end up making it a way of life, it’s harder for us to walk away when it’s time.”
Although he remembers those years as the best time of his life, George doesn’t hesitate to assert that work- ing on the tac team for more than two decades was hard work.
“Being on the tac team, you have to be self-motivat- ing,” George explained. “You are out there humping the streets like a shark.”
Luckily for George, the vigor to do his job each day came naturally. And when it came to the more technical side of his responsibilities, he was able to rely on the guid- ance of an 015 sergeant who immediately made it his mis- sion to show George the way.
“I am the officer I am today because of Sergeant Fred Os- leber. He put me on the right path,” George stressed. “That path was knowing how to write a professional (police) report.”
Once George perfected the fundamentals of report writing, he decided to pay the favor forward by being an aid to new officers and sharing his knowledge with
them in return. When rookie officers thanked George for his willingness to share the tricks of the trade, he’d respond with a simple instruction: “Don’t thank me,
just do it for the next person.”
George’s watchful eye was eclipsed only by the pride
in keeping the community safe and changing lives for the better. This was never more apparent than when an offender confronted George in the street after spending five years in jail and thanked George for saving his life by sending him to prison.
At the 15th District Christmas party, just two months before George’s official retirement, the impact of his career was fur- ther affirmed by his family in law enforcement. As the names of newly retired members were announced, George could hard- ly believe that it was his time to say goodbye. In that moment, George’s pride soared.
“You go to these parties and there’s always this one copper who gets a bigger cheer than anybody else,” George depicted. “I ended up being that guy. It’s a great feeling.” d
PARRIS GEORGE Star# #3401
Ever since retiring on Feb. 16, 2017, George has done his best to keep himself busy by tending to his wife’s growing honey-do list, riding his motorcycle and making frequent visits to the shooting range. But, there’s hardly a distraction that can keep this veteran Chicago copper from revisiting his memories work- ing on the 015 tactical team.
“I was put on the tactical team right away,” George confirmed proudly. “I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world. I was sneaking into buildings and watching dope deals. I was actually enjoying myself.”
George was on the tactical team for 26 of his 27 years in 015 before spending the last year of his career assigned to O’Hare.
26 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2018