Page 34 - December 2015

What started at the urging of his brother turned into a deep connection for John O’Malley.
It was the early 1980s when O’Malley’s brother Martin, a fellow Chicago Police officer, got him involved with Spe- cial Olympics; in particular, the Conquerors Swim Team.
“My brother Marty suggested it to me,” O’Malley explained, noting he wasn’t a swimmer himself.
The strong draw he had was the opportunity to encour- age and support the athletes involved.
“They were all every nice people. It was just about help- ing people,” O’Malley said.
For years, O’Malley would volunteer his time for Thurs- day night swim practices, various meets and to attend the annual Special Olympics Summer Games.
“It was nice to be around those things,” revealed O’Mal- ley, who spent 26 years on the job before retiring in 1984.
O’Malley credited the efforts of Chicago Police Amvets Post 18 for sponsoring the swim team and, in turn, provid- ing another level of support to the young athletes facing various developmental challenges.
For his years of work with Special Olympics and the Conquerors, O’Malley was honored with recognitions by the City of Chicago and State of Illinois. The July 2012 res- olution presented to the Chicago City Council by Alderman Mary O’Connor shows appreciation to John and Martin O’Malley, as well as Amvets, for their support of the athletes.
Similarly, the Illinois State Senate award honored O’Malley for “routinely volunteering time” and a “commit- ment to supporting such worthwhile activities.” O’Malley wasn’t sure who nominated him, but he was pleased nonetheless.
“I was proud. Very happy and surprised,” he stated.
officer John O’Malley
Swimming for a good cause
34 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2015