Neighbors 'Get Behind The Vest' At 19th Ward Pancake Breakfast

CHICAGO — The day after he received his replacement bulletproof vest from the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Chicago Police Officer James Kurth was shot.

Assigned to the 25th Chicago Police District on July 30, 2020, Kurth and his fellow officers heard gunshots outside the police station.

“We were shooting in the area and were kind of trying to figure out where it was coming from,” Kurth told WGN’s David Hochberg during the Vest-A-Thon radiothon on Feb. 12. “We hear the 10-1 call over the radio of an officer needing assistance.”

Kurth, a veteran CPD officer of 15 years, and his colleagues ran out into the street toward the gunfire, which happened to be in front of the station.

“We go running out as fast as we can to assist,” Kurth said. “I was trying to assess where everything was going on, and you’re just hearing gunshots going like crazy. I probably ran a little bit too far past the building.”

Feeling a hit to his shoulder, like a punch, Kurth ran to provide aide to the guy who shot him.

“I just stayed in the fight,” Kurth told Hochberg, “I knew something hit me pretty good.”

When the scene was secured, Kurth asked the other officers to check his shoulder.

“I’ve been shot at, but never shot,” the officer said.

Once the realization sunk in that he had been shot, Kurth reached out to his wife, Clair, a nurse working in a nearby hospital. But Clair had already heard from friends and family about the incident in the 25th District, who knew her husband worked there.

“I stared texting and calling my wife. I wanted to give her peace of mind as quickly as I could, knowing how quickly information gets out.”

That day happened to be the very first day Kurth put on the vest, thanks to the Get Behind the Vest program.

“I was very fortunate,” Kurth said. “My other vest was 7 or 8 years old.”

“I always say time and time again, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is the most amazing organization,” he added. “They truly live up to their message of ever forgetting. They’re always there to support the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department.”

In the past eight years, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea's Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast has raised more than $300,000. Combined with the $203,000 raised from the Vest-A-Thon on WGN, the 19th Ward is on track to raise more money than ever to ensure Chicago police officers are protected on the streets.

Upon graduation from the Chicago Police Academy, new police graduates receive a bulletproof vest, after that, officers need to replace their vests every five years, at an out-of-pocket cost of $600. To date, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has replaced more than 11,000 vests, with an annual goal to replace 500 vests for officers each year.

"In 2021 alone, 76 Chicago Police Officers were shot or shot at, with 14 being struck by gunfire," O'Shea said. "Our officers are facing increasing violence against them, and the need to provide up-to-date bulletproof vests with the latest technology advancements is more important than ever."

O’Shea, whose 19th Ward is home to the city’s largest population of police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders, will host his annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast Sunday, Feb. 27. This year’s event will be carry-out only, with no dine-in or seating available, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. John Fisher’s Kane Hall, 10200 S. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago. Proceeds will go to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s initiative, which purchases replacement vests for police officers.

A to-go container is $20 per person, that guests can pack with generous supporter Original Pancake House – Beverly pancakes and sausage, which is made to order by scores of volunteers. Syrup and butter will also be available. Once attendees have their container filled, they will be required to exit Kane Hall. No reservations are needed.