Page 34 - November 2018

Lifetime Achievement
Lodge 7 President Kevin Graham receives prestigious award from Italian American Police Association
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Italian American Police Association of Illinois President Anthony Langone offered two answers as to why Chicago Lodge 7 President Kevin Graham received the organiza- tion’s prestigious 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Langone’s short answer:
“Everything he’s done.”
After mentioning he has known Graham for 15 years,
Langone’s second response involved checking off a list of Graham’s meaningful contributions, including 22 years on the street protecting citizens and representing the best interests of Chicago’s rank-and-file Police Officers.
“He’s gone above and beyond the call of duty. He took a job I don’t think anyone else would have wanted,” Lan- gone said, noting the high level of scrutiny Department officers have had to deal with. “He’s stepped up for offi- cers. He’s stepped up for retirees. He’s done a fantastic job, in my opinion.”
At the IAPA’s 54th Annual Dinner Dance on Nov. 4, Gra- ham’s career accomplishments were recognized with a glass plaque reading “Lifetime Achievement Award 2017.” Graham explained that receiving the award is one of the most cherished honors he has earned over the years.
“It was a great honor from IAPA because they have such a long history of professionalism,” Graham said. “I felt honored and I felt like there were so many people more deserving of this award than me. But it was nice.”
Langone highlighted Graham’s diverse background in law enforcement and his dedication to serving as a beat cop as attributes that led to a lifetime of achievement.
“He knows what it is to put on that uniform and not be a ‘Yes, sir’ man,” Langone explained, noting Graham’s 17 years on patrol. “He’s stood up to the media. He’s stood up to the mayor. He’s an outstanding leader to these officers, and he’s going to back them as far as he can.”
Graham’s modesty, spawned from all his days in a beat car, led to him expressing an emotional appreciation for receiving an award given for truly a lifetime of contribu- tions to the Department.
“It does mean a lot to me to be honored for my work as a patrol officer,” he added. “It’s not just about the citizens I serve – it’s also about the other police officers that I serve.”
In his acceptance speech, Graham made sure to give praise to those he felt were a big part of his achieving what he has in 22 years on the job. He shared the accolade with
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the many officers he’s worked with over the years. “Whatever honors I have received, whatever recog- nition, whatever I have done well, I owe a lot to the col- leagues I have worked with and many of those people are in this room,” Graham told the audience. “I never would
have gone anywhere without them.” d