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between these two phrases, it only further demonstrates that individual’s ignorance as to what police officers do and to what police officers hold near and dear to the very core of this vocation. How dare those who hide behind network cameras, crouch behind journalistic keyboards or cower behind the safety of a pulpit continue to blatantly poke their accusatory fingers at a profession of which they know
tatives from the CPD Chaplain’s Unit (Father Dan and Rabbi Wolf never miss). For the past three years, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has attended our memorial and spoke about how important the police is to the city. We also have representatives from the Department, and this year we welcomed Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who shared his perspective on the present climate of policing. A proven police supporter, Freshman Alderman Ray Lopez took part in this year’s program as well.
nothing about? H.G. Wells would be hard pressed to match the fiction related to the non-stop anti-police bandwagon. As the photo from the National Police Memorial Foun- dation’s Annual Candlelight Vigil shown here depicts, this is what The Thin Blue Line truly means. Here is more “fac- tual” information concerning the emblem on our cover:
This annual event would not take place and certainly not be the success it is each and every year if it were not for the hard work of the Lodge staff. Everyone in the office pulls together and makes our event one that is on par with any other. Although everyone chips in, arranging the Honor Guard, tweaking the schedules of the guest speakers on the dais, setting up the refreshments and lunch all winds up on the shoulders of Doreen Plachta. Year in and year out, Doreen knocks the memorial out of the park. Thank you Dor.
The black boarder on the top section of the emblem is there to represent the segment of our law-abiding populous and those who the police are sworn to protect. The prominent blue line in the center of the emblem is representative of the women and men in law enforcement who place their lives on the line each and every day. Finally, the black line on the bottom of the emblem represents the criminal population the police keep separate from those who abide by the law. The emblem on this month’s cover has also become a symbol of support, and officers applaud everyone who demonstrates their support of the police by wearing a shirt, displaying a sticker or flying a flag bearing this emblem. And for all of those who support the police during this difficult time, we thank you.
Illinois Police Memorial
Lodge 7 Memorial
As always, the Illinois State Memorial began with Illinois Troopers Lodge 41 hosting the always-well-attended Illi- nois Law Enforcement Memorial Event Reunion, which is held at Knights Park. The following day begins with the families of the fallen heroes being led by a procession of motorcycles and patrol vehicles from the entire state to one of the most ornate churches you could ever visit; the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. After the inter- faith service is completed, the procession resumes to the lawn ceremony at the State Capital. Sadly, two current heroes’ names were added to the Illinois Police Officer Memorial: Deputy Sheriff Craig Whisenand (EOW: Aug. 10, 2015) of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and Deputy Sheriff Dwight Maness (EOW: Sept. 14, 2015) from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. Also added were the following names of heroes past that were discovered: Officer William Feeley (EOW: July 31, 1894) of the Chicago Police Department; Officer Bartholomew Cavanaugh (EOW: Dec. 15, 1898) of the Chicago Police Department; Officer Austin Fitch (EOW: Nov. 24, 1914) from the Chicago Police Department; Constable Earl Dixon (EOW: Aug. 11, 1935) from the Mounds Police Department; Sergeant Thomas Reed (EOW: Aug. 14, 1938) from the Paris Police Department and Deputy Lamont Reid (EOW: March 26, 2010) from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.
The first Tuesday of May each year, immediately after we hold a really streamlined Board meeting, the Lodge hosts its own memorial service. Since taking office, we have been so very, very fortunate to not have to inscribe any new names on our memorial wall. While other agencies have gone through the shock and sadness that follows the tragedy of losing a hero to the violence and madness that takes place on our streets every day, to that end we have been truly blessed.
In order to ensure that we host a sincerely meaningful and solemn event, one that is specific to the purpose of what a memorial is designed for, we always have represen-
As we all attend these types of events, the work that goes on behind the scenes seldom gets appreciated, so we
6 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JUNE 2016
This year’s event took a slightly different direction when we decided to invite the officers who were shot during the past year. We were honored to have had several of those who were regrettably injured by gunfire, but who were for- tunate to have survived those terrible events, including Officers Antonio Herrera, Michael Cantore, Arturo Bracho, Alejandro Lagunas and Stephen Boyd. The wounds will heal on each of these officers, but the follow-up support and post-event concerns that come part and parcel are what the Lodge wants to ensure we will assist with for each of them.