Page 31 - February 2018 FOP Newsletter

Stand and Remember
Lodge 7 members gather at 26th and California to stand up for fallen Officers Fahey and O’Brien and voice their opposition to those seeking a new trial for cop killer
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Nearly life-sized posters of Patrolman Richard O’Brien and Patrolman William Fahey hailed Chicago Lodge 7 members mustering outside Room 301 at 26th and California on Jan. 16. A civil- ian amongst the crowd took notice of the photos and of these active and retired officers massed at the Criminal Court Building. They were there to provide honor and support for O’Brien and Fahey and voice their opposition at a hearing to request a new trial for one of their killers, 36 years after the fact.
The woman approached the keeper of the photos, Lodge 7 Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Jakstavich, and quietly and respectfully inquired, “Who are you?”
“I’m here with the FOP,” Jakstavich responded. “We’re here in support of Officers Fahey and O’Brien.”
She started to cry. Then she pointed to the picture of Fahey and told Jakstavich, “That’s my father.”
The youngest of Fahey’s three daughters, Krista was a 1-year-old when her father and O’Brien were assassinated by brothers Andrew and Jackie Wilson during a traffic stop in 1982. She re- cently learned that attorneys spawned from the big-bucks wrongful-conviction movement were working to get Jackie Wilson that new trial 36 years after the fact. (Andrew Wilson died in prison in 2007).
And Krista saw how nearly 200 members of Chicago Lodge 7 moved the January general meet- ing to 26th and Cal to keep that from happening, to remind that they will never forget this tragic loss and to show that they stood strong together on this day as they did 36 years ago and will do so 36 years from now.
“We can speak volumes even with no words that with all my sisters and brothers in the FOP, we’re always going to be there, we’re always going to remember and we’re always going to be on watch,” asserted Darrin Bourret, a unit rep in 001 who was among the members at 26th and Cal on Jan. 16. “Having our representation there showing the unity and getting the word out, that is what’s important about the FOP Lodge.”
Resentment, frustration and perhaps even anger seeped through Lodge 7 Trustee Michael Underwood, who recounted from that day, “The band of brothers must remain united and never let a crime like this go unpunished.” The impact was palpable when a couple of Fahey’s family members stopped on the way out of the courtroom to shake hands with and thank a couple of uniformed officers from the 7th District who joined the fray.
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CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2018 31
Mayor Jane Byrne, center, and Police Superintendent Richard Brzeczek stand at the door of St. Denis Catholic Church as officers escort the body of Richard J. O’Brien in 1982.
Police officers line the entrance to Queen of the Universe Catholic Church as pallbearers, followed by family members, carry in the casket of Officer William Fahey on Feb. 13, 1982.