February Officer’s of the Month

On January 3, 2012, Officers Kimberly Oppedisano and Stephen Gregory conducted a traffic stop while working beat 2563B in the 025th District.  During this traffic stop, the front seat passenger was observed to be in possession of a handgun.  This individual, Edguardo Colon, was very concerned about the unlawful use of a weapon (UUW) felon charges and stated he would cooperate in order to receive a lesser sentence.  Sgt. Mateo Mojica and the arresting officers then brought Colon to the Area 5 detective division.  After endless hours of interviewing, Colon told of his involvement in the slaying of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis.  Colon also named the other offenders involved in the crime.

While countless individuals worked around the clock to bring the murderers of Officer Lewis to justice, it was the traffic stop and the superb police work conducted by these two hard-working officers that ultimately broke this case wide open.

P.O. Kimberly Oppedisano

Officer Oppedisano was born an raised on the northwest side of Chicago.  She graduated from Resurrection High School and joined the Chicago Police Department in 2004.  She was recently detailed to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit after spending her entire police career in the 025th District.

P.O. Stephen Gregory

Officer Gregory was born and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee.  He graduated from Lebanon High School and joined the Chicago Police Department in 2000.  P.O. Gregory has also been detailed to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit after spending his entire police career in the 025th District.

Charity Soccer Match

Join us on March 16th for the Chief O’Neill’s Cup Charity Soccer Match to benefit the Brotherhood of the Fallen & The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Watch Chicago Police Soccer play versus Philadelphia Police Soccer. We hope to see you there!

CPMF to Sell Merchandise at Credit Unions

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation will be at the three branches of the Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union to sell merchandise on Friday, December 16.

Volunteers for the CPMF will staff booths at each venue from 9:00am-2:00pm. Checks and cash will only be accepted at the north and south branches. Credit cards, checks and cash can be used at the main branch on Washington.

Too busy to shop? Check out the CPMF’s online catalog for an assortments of t-shirts, fleeces, hats, jackets in a variety of styles and sizes for men, women and children. The online store also offers pins, coins, coffee mugs, flags and more, honoring the sacrifice made by the fallen brothers and sisters of the CPD and the mission of our foundation to care for loved ones left behind.

CPMF to Sell Merchandise at Credit Unions on Dec. 1 and Dec. 16/Online Store Always Open!

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation will be at the three branches of the Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Unionto sell merchandise on the following dates: Thursday, December 1, and Friday, December 16.

Volunteers for the CPMF will staff booths at each venue from 9:00am-2:00pm. Checks and cash will only be accepted at the north and south branches. Credit cards, checks and cash can be used at the main branch on Washington.

Too busy to shop? Check out the CPMF’s online catalog for an assortments of t-shirts, fleeces, hats, jackets in a variety of styles and sizes for men, women and children. The online store also offers pins, coins, coffee mugs, flags and more, honoring the sacrifice made by the fallen brothers and sisters of the CPD and the mission of our foundation to care for loved ones left behind.

Volunteers Spruce Up Gold Star Park

On Saturday, November 12th the following volunteers showed up at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park and cut back bushes and plants and spruced it up so it will bloom in the Spring:  Jerry Migely, Ed & Linda O’Reilly, Jennifer & Rebecca Shelley, Dennis O’Reilly, Don Scott, Javier & Athena Reyes, Alexandra & George Gantner, Bobby Stevens, Kathy Kajari, Dan Dugan, Ted Wolff and Sgt. Lori Cooper.  Thanks for a great job!!  If you would like to volunteer to help the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, send us an e-mail at volunteer@cpdmemorial.org.

 

Letters to Kaner & Flisk Families

As we come to end of May which is Police Month, I thought it would be appropriate to post letters that were sent to the families of Police Officer Ken Kaner EOW 19 Jun 70 and Michael Flisk EOW 26 Nov 2010.  These letters speak volumes about the courage, character and dedication of Chicago Police Officers 40 years ago and today.

 Philip J. Cline
Executive Director
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation

 

The first letter was send to the Kaner family by Police Officer James Alfano.  Officer Ken Kaner (007 District) had been shot and killed in the line of duty on June 19, 1970.

Tragically Officer Alfano (Gang Unit) was shot and killed in the line of duty two months after he wrote this letter.

 

Dear Pauline and Family:

No words can quite express the way we feel. As a brother officer, as a husband, and as a father life today has presented a difficult road to follow. Each day as I leave my family and kiss them goodbye, I realize I may never see them again. Every policeman faces this, as did Ken. We sometimes contemplate whether it is worth it or not.  It is, worth the price. Your husband did the job and gave his life for the precious way of life so many have died for, and dying for today. His memory and the good he left behind will always be there, to give you the strength and his fellow officers the reinforcement to continue on our journey through life.

I, my family, and the other  police officers, I speak for want you to know that Ken’s memory will live as long as men continue to risk their lives for that which they believe is right.

J. Alfano

The second letter was sent to the Flisk family by Police Officer Kurt Kaner (Marine Unit) the son of Police Officer Ken Kaner.  Evidence Technican Michael Flisk had been shot and killed in the line of duty on November 26, 2010.

 

Dear Flisk Family:

I wanted to share a copy of a condolence letter that was written to my mother Chicago Police Officer James Alfano, Jr. in 1970. My father, Kenneth Kaner was murdered that year. He was killed in the line of duty. Often I would feel that my father’s murder was not worth it. That he died in vain. I came across this letter about a decade ago. It finally put to rest, FOR ME, that question the significance of that letter is that Officer James Alfano, Jr. who was killed in the line of duty three months after writing it.

It truly is unfortunate that good men must die in order to preserve ORDER.  I hope and pray that in reading this letter that it will comfort you as it has me.

Sincerely,

Kurt Kaner