Page 48 - September 2019 FOP Newsletter

■ BY DAN CAMPANA
The words “never forget” carry with them a certain weight when it comes to the loss of a Chicago Police Officer, but continued displays of appreciation for those fallen men and women prove they will always be remembered.
In July and August, in formal ceremo- nies and touching tributes, several offi- cers who died serving the city were com- memorated by their families, peers and the community.
At the Chicago Police Department Headquarters, the Superintendent’s Honored Star case saw the badges of seven officers added — Samuel Jimenez, Eduardo Marmolejo, Conrad Gary, Helen Cardwell, Arthur Jackson, Gregory Ed- wards and Robert Marousek — during two retirement ceremonies. Jimenez, Marmolejo and Gary each died in the line of duty in 2018, while Marousek (1981), Edwards (1987), Jackson (1987) and Cardwell (1988) received the lasting tribute years beyond their final call.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson noted that the case is the first and last thing he sees each day, calling the display a “pow- erful reminder” of the dangers associat- ed with being a police officer. He said the officers “lost their lives in the most hon- orable of pursuits” — protecting the city. The case now holds 508 stars.
The life and service of Officer Michael Gordon were honored during a memori- al service in August at the police training academy. Gordon died in August 2004 after a drunk driver collided with the squad car he and his partner were in while working patrol.
Police cadets lined up in solitary uni- son outside the academy to hear about Gordon from those who knew him best. More importantly, they heard about a police family that keeps Gordon’s mem- ory alive through stories, text messag- es and other simple gestures, said John Gordon, Michael’s brother.
“On the 15th anniversary of his end of watch, my brother is not forgotten. But it’s not just on milestones like this that I realize he’s not forgotten,” John Gor- don shared with the audience of family, friends, police dignitaries and attentive cadets.
48 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2019
The stars of Samuel Jimenez, Eduardo Marmolejo and Conrad Gary, who were lost in the line of duty in 2018, were retired during a ceremony in August.
Forever honored
Also retired was the star of Officer Arthur Jack- son, who was lost in the line of duty in 1987.
John Gordon also encouraged his brother’s former 11th District colleagues and all officers to remember their train- ing, to stay safe and to know that they are making a difference in a city that needs them.
Although the memory of Officer Mi- chael Ceriale, killed by gunfire while working a narcotics detail in 1998, won’t soon disappear, the 12th District added another physical reminder of what Ceri- ale meant to so many people.
On Aug. 21, the 21st anniversary of Ceriale’s death, a K9s for Cops statue bearing Ceriale’s badge number, doves and angels was unveiled at 12th Dis- trict headquarters before a gathering of family and officers. The larger-than-life
To honor the 21st anniversary of the death of Of- ficer Michael Ceriale, a K9s for Cops statue com- missioned in his honor was unveiled.
German shepherd that stands tall in the lobby was designed by artist Peter Bucks, a Chicago Police Officer, and sponsored by the Officer Michael A. Ceriale Foun- dation. The statue drew visible emotion from those who saw it and knew it would forever honor Ceriale.