News
Illinois COPS
Run To Remember 2010
Mark your calendar
The 4th annual Run To Remember (fallen law enforcement officers) 5K Run / 1 Mile Walk will be held at 8am, May 1, 2010 from Junction City, 5901 North Prospect RD. in Peoria. The event is open to the public, and awards are given to the top 3 finishers of each category and overall male and female participant.
Press Release
Application
Directions to Junction City and HotelIL COPS Updates, Fall 2009
Thanks to Jennifer Morales!
Over 6 years ago, Jennifer Morales began the process of uniting survivors in Illinois through the creation of our chapter. Through sweat and tears, she brought us together, and since then many of us became friends and survivors together. In April, Jennifer decided to step down and spend more time with her boys and Meghan. Please join us on December 5th, as we thank Jennifer and wish her well!
Motorcycle Rider Raises Money & Awareness for C.O.P.S. Chapters
Earlier this year, Harry Herington, Chairman and CEO of NIC, an e-Government firm, had pledged to Suzie Sawyer and the C.O.P.S. organization that he would raise $125,000.00 for C.O.P.S. and donate $1,000.00 to every chapter of C.O.P.S. Harry pledged that he would do this in just 3 years! Harry said he would ride his Harley Davidson to every state capital where a C.O.P.S. chapter was located. On September 10th, Harry, a former police officer himself, rode into Springfield on his blue emblazoned HD motorcycle. Harry spoke very highly of the C.O.P.S. organization and presented the Illinois Chapter with a donation of $1,000.00. Harry was escorted by Terry Roderick and then welcomed to our state’s capitol by several survivors and friends of C.O.P.S. at the law enforcement memorial. Larry Paige also helped with Harry’s arrival and Terry’s mom Jerry Overman hosted a luncheon reception for Harry. It was a great and generous gesture to all of COPS, and thank you Harry!!
Charity Fight for Illinois COPS
On September 12th, 2009, Larry Linderman of the Illinois State Police, fought a Chicago fireman in a charity mixed martial arts bout at the Odeum Sports Complex in Villa Park. Marcia Williams and Dwight Bouck attended and personally thanked Larry for representing law enforcement and raising awareness to the sacrifices of our fallen officers.
Chicago PD Candlelight Vigil
On September 17th, 2009 the Chicago PD and CPD Memorial Foundation held their annual candlelight vigil at Gold Star Families and Memorial Park, on Chicago’s lakefront. It was a beautiful night, and several dignitaries were in attendance to include Mayor Richard Daley, Governor Pat Quinn, CPD Superintendent Jody Weis and former Superintendent Phil Cline. Donna Marquez spoke on behalf of survivors, and coordinated a balloon release by the children of Chicago’s fallen officers. The evening included CPD cadets holding the portraits of CPD fallen officers. Bagpipe bands, a parade of a variety of CPD squads and a helicopter flyover made the evening very special.
Charity Softball
Charity Softball Games Raises Money for IL C.O.P.S. On September 26th, 2009, Mike Barnes of the Burr Ridge Police Department (BRPD) organized a charity 16” softball game, “Guns and Hoses”, at the annual Burr Ridge Harvest Festival. The event remembered Jonathan Walsh who began his career with the BRPD. It also helped support Norma Walsh as she prepared for her upcoming C.O.P.S. walk in DC. Several members of the Walsh family were there, including Greg and Norma, their daughter Debbie Stephenson and granddaughters Colleen and Cara. John Hanke and Eddie Johnson of Joliet PD were in attendance, including Ron and Joann Barden who came all the way from Peoria! Thanks Mike and the Burr Ridge PD for your support!
Board Meeting
On September 27th, 2009, members of the IL C.O.P.S. board met at Toni Hardesty’s house in Bloomington and discussed a variety of topics: financials, e-mail, website, insurance, audit, tax filings, and the annual tithe to national C.O.P.S. Many of these same topics will be addressed at our next meeting on December 5th. Another important item discussed was the upcoming elections in April, 2010. The board
strongly encourages you to contact a current board member and learn more about the time commitment and expectations for this role. We will discuss this important event further, and we hope you will consider getting more involved in the future of our chapter.
Sentencing in ISP’s Bryan McMillen’s murder On October 7th, one of the defendants charged and convicted in ISP Trooper Bryan McMillen’s vehicular homicide was sentenced to 14 years incarceration. At the sentencing, Bryan’s fiancé Angela, and the McMillen family delivered impact statements. As many know, this painful event is not easy, and we ask that you remember Bryan and the entire McMillen family.
Car to Car
Did you ever wonder what those police officers or troopers are doing when they are parked side by side? Curt Kiebles of the Wheaton PD received his department’s highest honor for apprehending a murder suspect moments after a fatal stabbing in Wheaton… Mark Peyton and Kim Cessna of the ISP completed their first ever Iron Man (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon) in Louisville, KY.
Their times of 13:20 hrs and 16:03 hrs respectively, means they had a very long day of incredibly grueling conditions. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! Keith Dorwart was spotted at Western Illinois University, even though he attends the Uof I. That was Jason Ford of the Orland Park Police Department taking a promotional exam…and that was Jason and Shawn Walsh completing the Chicago triathlon!! Dwight “Ike” Bouck celebrated his 50th birthday on October 31st
.A Few Final Thoughts...
According to National C.O.P.S., in 2009, Illinois survivors attended almost every category of Hands on Programs (“HOPS”) offered. We also had 59 Illinois survivors attend events during National Police Week. All told, Illinois received almost $36K of National COPS HOPS through various retreats/camps, placing it 3rd in states that received the most assistance!! Our survivors benefit a tremendous amount from the programs coordinated by National C.O.P.S., so thank you National C.O.P.S!!
Toulon killer dies of apparent suicide
Curtis Thompson found dead in cell
We received notification on Sunday, June 8, 2008, that Curt Thompson killed himself in Pontiac Prison on Friday June 6th. His wife died last week of cancer also.
We had a scheduled court date on Friday, June 13th, but now his case is closed in more ways than one. He always wanted to be in control of everything he did, even in death.
Information Wanted
INFORMATION WANTED by the FBI in Officer Wood case.
The FBI has
authenticated and released this on Jan 15, 2008. Please post or circulate among
investigative units, training symposiums, department of corrections operations
or anywhere you feel the potential to Cultivate information on this crime may
exist. The officers family and the investigative team thank you in advance for
your Support.
Download additional information
Online Petition
The Altman family is trying to get armor piercing bullets off the streets, and especially out of the hands of evil-doers. Our son was killed by two thugs shooting him in the face and back with these bullets. We have petitions which will be presented to appropriate government officials in hopes of both getting these bullets off the streets and making persons selling or trading them to be held just as responsible as the person who uses them to kill our law enforcement officers.
Please sign our
petition and then pass it on to every other person you possibly can and ask them
to also sign it. The petition is located on the web site link posted below.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/deputy-sheriff-harold-michael-altman-memorial
