Page 39 - FOP March 2017 Newsletter

Honoring a fallen brother
The amazing story of how the son of two police officers from Chicago went above
and beyond to remember the son of two Chicago Police Officers, and their
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Cue the Rocky theme, or perhaps the pipes and drums playing “Amazing Grace.” The Grand March of athletes into the 2017 Illinois High School Association State Wres- tling Finals should have commanded such an interlude, if only to accompany the presence of Scott Sierzega. One of the most goosebumps-inspiring moments in all of scholastic sports had become even more stirring because of this Brother Rice High School senior’s storied march to honor.
Heart and soul of the Chicago Police De-
partment and law enforcement agencies beyond the city followed Scott into the State Farm Center at the Univer- sity of Illinois in Champaign on Feb. 18. After battling through four opponents to get to the 220-pound weight class championship match, Scott found the strength to go above and beyond from what he called “the angel on my shoulder.”
The angel was Jacob Schmitz, his Brother Rice class- mate, soul mate and sidekick who passed away from a rare form of leukemia in June 2016. Scott privately had dedi- cated his senior season to Jake as a way to honor his best friend. Honoring the fallen is something Scott learned from his mother, Denise Casey, a 9th District school re- source officer, and his father, Glenn, a retired Deputy U.S. Marshal.
Honor to a fallen brother also sent tribute to Jake’s par- ents, Retired Chicago Police Deputy Chief Leo Schmitz, currently the director of the Illinois State Police, and Ellyn, a retired CPD lieutenant. The honor was not lost on one of Scott’s coaches, Jan Murzyn, also a 9th District Officer.
Scott’s march to the scintillating 1-0 loss in the cham- pionship match also honored his lineage and law en-
forcement legacy. When Coach Murzyn came out of the Academy 13 years ago, he trained with FTO Denise Casey. And when Casey moved to the desk after giving birth to Scott, she often compared notes with her lieutenant who had her own toddler at home. That lieutenant was Ellyn Schmitz.
“I always thought about Jake as the an- gel on my shoulder before every match,” Scott explained. “Before I faced anybody, I would always feel nervous...uncontrollable breathing...rapid heartbeat. I would make the sign of the cross, look up and hope he
was there.”
Scott confirms that the strength and inspiration to win
37 of his 41 matches during this amazing season came from Jake, and was his way to never forget somebody who became as close as a brother. Denise and Leo praised the tribute for never forgetting Jake and embodying the qual- ities of Chicago’s finest.
“Paying it forward, helping people and treating every- body with the same kind of respect you would want your mother or father treated,” Denise described in assessing Scott’s drive. “I’m a big believer in karma, and I do believe there is a reason Scott didn’t win. We will have to find the meaning, but it is about trying to make him feel better about the situation, about bringing peace and calm.”
Their brotherhood
Jake is never far from Scott’s thoughts, or his sight. Scott’s other passion is playing drums. That was the first beat Glenn patrolled. Following Jake’s passing, Scott put his picture on his drums, and, truth be told, for all his might on the mat, he has never known anybody stronger than Jake.
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Scott wrestling one of his matches en route to advancing to the state nals.
friendship that will make every cop proud.
Jacob Schmitz
Scott Sierzega
Jacob with his father, Leo, a retired CPD Deputy Chief and director of the Illinois State Police.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2017 39