Page 53 - November2018

raers ad ore for oice officers
■ BY ERIKA WURST
■ PHOTO BY JAMES PINTO
During the past several months, 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea has been noticing a disturbing trend.
O’Shea was receiving call after call notifying him of yet another death. Another officer who had taken his life; a firefighter who had lost a battle with depression.
Representing hundreds of police officers in his own ward, it came as no surprise that several of the fallen officers resided in O’Shea’s own community. The realization hit the alderman hard, and that’s when he decided that he never wanted to receive another shocking phone call about a first responder gone too soon.
He began talking to law enforcement families, local clergy mem- bers and families who had lost loved ones to suicide, and he knew it was time to step up and take action.
“We talked about what could be done,” O’Shea said. “How can I be part of trying to put a spotlight on suicide and offer support? What outreach could we do with officers and their families?”
He decided that hosting a Mass and prayer service — in tandem with providing pertinent suicide prevention resources — would be a good path to take, and he set out to make that happen.
In October, O’Shea’s dream became a reality when more than 150 people showed up at St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago to pray for one another and seek support. In the audience were police fami- lies who had seen officers struggle with and eventually succumb to their personal issues. There were first responders in attendance offering shoulders to lean on — and a community rallying around its heroes, letting them know that they’re not alone.
“For me personally, it was very moving to be there, be a part of it
and witness what happened,” O’Shea said. “You see people in the pews and you think hopefully you’re connecting with someone.”
He thinks he did exactly that. O’Shea said the response he got from attendees at the Mass was overwhelmingly positive and that the event has inspired him to continue reaching out to those in need, especially police officers and firefighters.
“We support our first responders and their families,” he said. “If someone ever feels they’re in that dark hole, they need to know they can reach out for help, and help will be there. They are cared for and supported, now more than ever.
“I think the more we talk about this, the more we shed a light on this, the greater chance we can connect with someone,” shared O’Shea. “If we can do that, this event was a huge success and I plan on doing more.”
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