Procession Route Set For Former CPD Officer Paralyzed In 1987 Accident

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer catastrophically injured in the line of duty 37 years ago will be laid to rest Wednesday, Sept. 4. The funeral mass will be held at St. Christina Catholic Church, 3342 W 111th St., Chicago, at 9:30 a.m.

Officer James B. "Jim" Crowley was left paralyzed when a drunk driver slammed into a squad car he was in Sept. 4, 1987. The crash killed fellow Ofcr. William Malcom Morrison Jr. and injured three other officers. Crowley was just 22 with one year on the force.

The former officer died Aug. 22 of his injuries. He was 59.

The funeral procession will depart from Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home, 10727 S Pulaski Road, at 9 a.m. Cars will travel east on 107th Street to Homan Ave., proceeding east on Home to 110th Street, to Christiana Avenue, and then south to the parking lot.

The Chicago Police Department will suspend vehicle traffic along the route beginning at 9 a.m. There will be parking restrictions in place on the blocks surrounding St. Christina Church as well.

Crowley graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1983, and later attended the University of Illinois. He joined the Chicago Police Department in 1986, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer.

“He spent the last 37 years unable to walk but never lost his work ethic or sense of humor,” Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said in an email blast to residents.

O’Shea is asking 19th Ward residents to line the streets along the procession route to honor the fallen officer.

“Please keep the Crowley family and all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers,” the alderman said.

Map of funeral procession route for Ofcr. James Crowley