Page 50 - July 2017 Newsletter

f cers ather to ho or the fa e at ro ca other e or a s
n BY NICK SWEDBERG AND DAN CAMPANA
Proving that the mission to “never forget” goes beyond simple words, Chicago Police Officers, cadets, explorers and members of the public paused several times recently to mark the lives of those who died in the line of duty.
Memorial roll calls and commemorative events were held for Officers Brian Strouse, Robert Francis, Thor Soderberg and Alex Valadez. Even with the passage of time, the memories never fade for the family members of fallen officers, said Dawn Dolan of the Chicago Police Memorial Fund.
“These families live with it daily,” Dolan said. “They never forget the loss of their loved ones.”
About 35 uniformed officers and another 50 specta- tors in civilian clothing attended the June 30 roll call for Strouse, who was killed while conducting gang surveil- lance near 18th Place and Loomis Street in June 2001. The memorial was conducted at the scene, as it has been over the years. No members of the Strouse family attended this year, due to the passing of Strouse’s father, Dolan said.
Earlier in June, a large gathering of officers, family and
O cers in the 19th District joined up with local kids on June 27 for a youth Wi e Ball game at Gill Park.
friends lined the 6000 Block of South Hermitage Avenue to reflect on the eighth anniversary of Officer Alejandro “Alex” Valadez’s death.
“He’s a shining example of what a police officer is meant to be,” 7th District Cmdr. Kenneth Johnson told those in
50 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JULY 2017