After more than 29 years with the Orland Park Police Department, Commander John Keating retired on Friday.
Keating was greeted by colleagues, village officials, and extended family when he returned to the station from his last ride on duty.
“We’re losing our commander of investigations, one of our most experience officers,” said Chief Tim McCarthy. “He’s made unbelievable contributions to the department his entire career.”
Keating joined the force in 1987, and served as the first bicycle patrol officer in the village, as well as on the special response team, the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, and the Southwest Major Case Squad before being promoted to rank of commander in 2j010.
“He’s a larger than life figure in Orland Park,” said police Lieutenant Tony Farrell, who joined the force the same day ask Keating.
Keating is retiring from the police force to take an investigations position in the private sector, he said.
His wife, Darlene Keating, watched his last ride in as a cop, calling the moment “sad.”
“I always felt that he was born to do this job,” she said. “It’s just who he was, and he did it so well, it’s sad to see it come to an end.”
His children returned to Orland Park from college to witness his last ride in at the station.
“It’s really rewarding, actually, just to see his years here touched so many hearts,” said his son, Michael Keating, who is also studying criminal justice.
Keating’s daughter, Samantha Keating, said it “means everything” that so many people came to the police station to watch his last ride in.
A couple hundred police colleagues, along with members of the Orland Park Fire Protection District, village officials, out-of-state family, and friends lined the police department parking lot Friday afternoon.
Farrell will replace Keating as commander of investigations.
“I’m going to try to follow in John’s footsteps, but he’s been a tough act to follow, let me tell you,” Farrell said.
As his squad car pulled into the parking lot, the fire engine hung the American flag overhead.
Retired police officers Michael Shaugnessy, of Oak Forest, played a bagpipe, as Robert Reilly, from Orland Park, followed with a drum.
Both officers belong to “Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society Chicago Police Department.”
Shaughnessy called Keating “a policeman’s policeman, a good cop.”
“It’s really heart warming to see people show their support for me,” Keating said, calling it a “fulfilling career.”
“Good luck John,” people hollered.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.