Page 18 - October 2015

Justice served for the fallen
FIELD REPRESENTATIVES REPORT
MARLON HARVEY
“For fools rush in where
Angels fear to tread.”
ALEXANDER POPE
There is nobody more aware of the crime and vio- lence in our city than a Chicago Police Officer. Each day and night, officers expose themselves to harm and danger that others would flee from. Despite this, offi- cers continue to confront and battle the evils of our
city. It is heartbreaking for me to say that sometimes it can cost an officer his life. However, the battle does not end there. The perpetrators of such a heinous crime must be apprehended, charged, brought
to justice before trial and, if all goes well, sen-
tenced. Then, and only then, is the battle for the fallen officer complete.
During the past few months both family members and ChicagoPoliceOfficershavedonejustthis. InJulyof2010,Offi-
cer Thor Soderberg was ambushed, attacked and murdered by offender Bryant Brewer. Fortunately Brewer did not make good on his escape due to the immediate response of Sergeant Jason Kacyn- ski and Officer Kimberly Thorp. The fact that both officers were receiving gunfire as they engaged Brewer did not stop them. Brewer was struck and felled by Kacynski’s return fire. Brewer survived his wounds and was arrested and charged.
The outstanding work of detectives, forensic investigators, expert witness and officer testimony resulted in a good case for trial that began July 27 and lasted seven days. On Aug. 4, presiding Judge Tim- othy Joyce returned with a guilty verdict in the murder of Officer Soderberg. Finally, on Sept. 23, Judge Joyce sentenced Brewer to life in prison.
In November 2010 Officer Michael Flisk was also ambushed, attacked and brutally murdered by Timothy Herring. Herring was subsequently apprehended and charged. Trial concluded in May with a guilty verdict. In June, Judge Margaret Brosnahan, sentenced Herring to Life with no parole.
As I think back over the tes- timony and evidence present- ed in both trials of Officers Flisk and Soderberg, I realize that these two good men met evil. The fight between good and evil is neverending. Judge
Joyce said it best when he announced his decision against Bryant Brewer by acknowledging the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that Chicago Police Officers perform every day. Judge Joyce described this dedica- tion with a quote by writer and poet Alexander Pope: “For fools rush in where Angels fear
to tread.”
Members of the Lodge and the brothers and sisters of the Chicago Police Department give a heartfelt thank you to Judge Timothy Joyce and Cook County State’s Attorneys Brian Sexton and Pat McGuire for a job well done.
Lastly, be prepared to attend the trial of the latest offender, Marcus Floyd, murderer of Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV in May 2010. Trial is set to begin possibly as early as Oct. 14. Sup- port our police family in finishing the fight for Officer Wortham with your presence. Check the FOP website for updated information on date, courtroom and time. As always, continue to back each other up out there and stay safe. d
Walk with me to battle blood cancer
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk
Oct. 24 • 4:30 p.m. • Grant Park
Motorola Solutions Foundation is sponsoring a First Responder team to participate in the walk. Family members and friends of Lodge 7 members are also welcome to participate.
For information, contact Anna.Baniak@LLS.org or 312-568-7717 or pjesse@hotmail.com or 618-530-6770.
KEITH CARTER
To First Responders past and present, I'm request- ing that you join me in forming a team of walkers for the 2015 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society “Light the Night” Walk in support of blood cancer patients.
This 5K walk is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in Grant Park. We'll have the support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation, which is donating $10,000 to the cause, and is providing a tent with refreshments. No donation is required to walk, but if you choose to donate you can either visit the Leukemia and Lym- phoma Society website
http://pages.lightthenight.org/il/ChicagoL15/chifirstresponders, or donate in person to me at the FOP Lodge before or on the day of the event.
As we all know, anyone at any time can get cancer, and First Responders have a 50 percent greater chance than the general pub- lic to get blood cancer. Motorola Solutions Foundation believes in
protecting those who help protect us and reached out to Patrick Jessee, a Chicago paramedic who is a survivor of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma blood cancer. He contacted the Lodge so that we might have a fantastic turnout of both police officer and firefighters to walk and support our own. In my 29 years on the job, I've met many thousands of police officers and I look forward to walking with you on Oct. 24. d
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