Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Plans Candlelight Vigil for Fallen Officers

A candlelight vigil for Chicago police officers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty will be held this Wednesday, September 16, at Gold Star Families Memorial Park.

The 2015 vigil is planned and hosted by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. The vigil starts at 7:30 p.m. and the names of the fallen officers will be read in a solemn ceremony.

If you’ve never been to the police memorial, the park extends nearly five acres. It includes sculptures, a water wall, running path and several places to stop, reflect, pray, remember or :just be,” according to a reader’s review.

Since 1853, 562 Chicago police officers have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation exists to honor their memories and support their families.

Names added to the wall in 2014 include:

• P.O. William Buck – Shakespeare St. Station, EOW Nov. 28, 1941
• Det. Nicholas Connelly – Woodlawn Police Station, EOW, Oct 9, 1962
• P.O. Gary M. Gradle – 004th District, EOW, April 5, 1996
• Lt. Patrick McGann – Gen. Assignments Unit #3, CID, EOW, July 13, 1977

Just recently, these names were also added to the wall:

• Lt Charles Stine -- Woodlawn Station, EOW, September 28, 1936
• Officer John T. Lynch -- Youth Division, EOW, December 19, 1969
• Det. Laubet Zaccard -- Rogers Park Station, EOW, July 23, 1946

If you would like to read the names of fallen officers, please contact Nikia Davis at Nikia.Davis@chicagopolice.org or Joanna Lukasik at Joanna.LukasikMillan@chicagopolice.org.

Gold Star Families Families Memorial Park is located at McFetridge Drive and East Museum Campus Drive near Soldier Field.