Michael Anthony Ceriale, 26, was a model police recruit, his peers and superiors say.
Only 15 months out of the police academy, his ability and enthusiasm led him to an overnight plainclothes assignment at the Chicago Housing Authority’s Robert Taylor Homes, one of the most dangerous beats in the city.
“That’s why he was entrusted to work plainclothes–he was very dependable,” said his supervising sergeant, Joe Ozog.
“It’s just surprising for such a new cop, an officer with such little time, that he did so well,” said Patrolman Robert Robles, who had occasionally worked with Patrolman Ceriale. “He really wanted to work. He was a good all-around kid. He had a great attitude. He was going to be one of the up-and-coming great cops.”
Patrolman Ceriale and his partner were staking out drug dealers at one of the Taylor Homes on Aug. 15 when they were spotted by lookouts. Moments later, a bullet fired from a .357 handgun hit Patrolman Ceriale just under his bulletproof vest. Patrolman Ceriale died Friday.
Six people have been charged in the aftermath of the shooting, including Johnathan Tolliver, 16, of 4022 S. State St., who is accused of firing the fatal shot and who will be tried as an adult on charges of first degree murder.
Patrolman Ceriale lived with his family in Ukrainian Village. He became a football player at Gordon Technical High School.
“He was a hardworking, enthusiastic player who’d do anything to make the team better,” said his coach, Tom Winiecki. “He always had a smile on his face.”
Patrolman Ceriale won the citywide heavyweight title in Golden Gloves boxing in 1995, said his coach, Nick Mendoza of the Apache Boxing Club on North Broadway.
Patrolman Ceriale also brought a sense of humor and a good personality to the job, Ozog said. “He could take a ribbing and dish it out too,” Ozog said. “If I had a daughter, that’s the kind of guy I’d want her to marry.”
Patrolman Ceriale’s survivors include his parents, Anthony and Maria, and his grandmother, Anna Retelskyj.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday in Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago. A St. Jude police service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home, police spokesman Pat Camden said.
Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 843 N. Oakley Ave., Chicago.