A volley of shots echoed across Lincoln Plaza at the Lake County Building shortly after noon Friday, just as it does every year at this time when Lake County’s fallen law enforcement officers are remembered.
The Lake County Police Memorial is held each May in conjunction with National Police Week, and it brings out officers from across the county as well as public officials, family members of local officers who have died in service, and other residents.
The honor roll of fallen officers hasn’t changed in Lake County since 2009, but it doesn’t mean officers aren’t dying elsewhere — as close as McHenry County last year — and that the families left behind aren’t still struggling with the loss of their loved ones.
“Never forget that although their time has passed, their sacrifice continues,” Waukegan police Chief Wayne Walles, speaking at the sun-soaked service, said of both the fallen officers and their survivors.
Several speakers referenced a series of controversial police shootings in the past year, saying the resulting political and social divide that has resulted makes the job even harder for dedicated officers who put their lives on the line each day.
Walles said he hopes that the time is approaching when “we spend more time celebrating our similarities and less time on our differences.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim touched on the same theme.
“The job of law enforcement officers has gotten more dangerous — at a time in which society is expecting more from them than ever and seemingly appreciating them less and less,” Nerheim said. “Last year, 128 officers died in the line of duty from causes ranging from car accidents to gunshots.
“Indeed, as we stand here, two officers are fighting for their recovery after having been shot in the line of duty approximately nine hours ago in New Hampshire. Let’s keep them and their families in our prayers.”
County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor said that local officers leave their families “to put their lives on the line every day to make sure that Lake County is a safe place to work, live and visit.”
Lawlor said “political tensions have reached a fever pitch,” while officers are expected to make life-and-death decisions in a split second and should continue to rely on their training and instincts.
“The bad guys aren’t hesitating. The bad guys aren’t doubting their instincts,” Lawlor said. “You can trust your instincts, and the leadership of this county government will have your back.”
Lake County Undersheriff Ray Rose said that in honoring the sacrifice of fallen comrades, officers must still uphold their duty in difficult times and situations that most people never have to experience.
Rose said that on average, an officer is killed in the line of duty every 61 hours in the United States.
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“We can’t let the betrayal of some police officers deter us. The officers here today don’t stop and read the headlines” before putting themselves in harm’s way, he said.
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran introduced several family members of sheriff’s Deputy Gary Murphy, who died in service June 15, 1976. Curran said some of the family members had come from as far as St. Louis to attend Friday’s memorial.
Curran also addressed what he called the “elephant in the room,” the death last year of former Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, which officials concluded was a suicide he staged to make look like a homicide.
Curran said that while the investigation drew criticism from some corners, the initial response included hundreds of officers from across Lake County who “dropped everything” to rush to the scene. He added that both local and federal law enforcement drew together like family to eventually reach the correct conclusion, rather than jumping to conclusions about initial suspects.
Waukegan High School student Frankie Paredes performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The ceremony also included remarks by chaplain John Sfire and performances by the Northern Illinois Pipes and Drums Band.
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Lake County officers killed in the line of duty
*FBI
Inspector Samuel P. Crowley, November 27, 1934
Special Agent Herman E. Hollis, November 27, 1934
* Hainesville Police Department
Corporal Cesar Velazquez, May 15, 2009
* Highland Park Police Department
Officer Robert C. Reiman, Jr., January 6, 1984
* Highwood Police Department
Special police Officer Samuel Massini, January 27, 1928
* Illinois State Police — District 15
Trooper Leo S. Burakowski, September 24, 1958
* Lake County sheriff’s office
Deputy Gary D. Murphy, June 15, 1976
* Lake Forest Police Department
Officer Clyde M. Spradling, July 25, 1915
Officer James H. Sage, November 19, 1923
* North Chicago Police Department
Officer David T. Doering, May 4, 1980
* Northwestern Railroad Police
Officer Maurice Leahy, July 23, 1921
* St. Paul Railroad Police
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Detective Patrick H. Owens, August 25, 1894
Officer Thomas Morrison, May 30, 1915
* Waukegan Police Department
Special Policeman Charles Pelton, October 31, 1924
Officer Herbert Gillis, November 1, 1924
Sgt. Harry White, November 13, 1977
* Winthrop Harbor Police Department
Officer William Peterson, January 13, 1922